The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that Julius Abure’s tenure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party expired in June 2024.
This position was disclosed in a counter affidavit filed in response to a lawsuit by the Labour Party, which challenged its exclusion from INEC’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections.
According to INEC, Abure’s leadership, as well as the March 2024 National Convention that sought to re-elect him, are no longer valid.
The commission cited violations of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, emphasising that it does not engage with political parties lacking valid leadership.
The Commission’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Tanko Inuwa, argued that the Labour Party’s lawsuit, which seeks declaratory reliefs, cannot be granted based on admissions alone.
They further contended that the party must succeed based on the merits of its case, and having failed to comply with legal requirements during the convention, the Labour Party cannot claim valid leadership.
INEC has urged the court to dismiss the suit, stating that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs it seeks.
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