The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from validating the Labour Party’s forthcoming national convention in Abia State.
As per statutory regulations, the electoral commission is required to supervise a political party’s national convention.
In a letter addressed to INEC Chairman Yakubu Mahmood, the NLC, represented by its legal counsel Marshal Abubakar, asserted that the convention slated for March 27th is illegitimate.
Additionally, the NLC, in a separate letter to LP’s national legal adviser, Kehinde Edun, warned of potential contempt proceedings against the party should it proceed with the convention despite pending legal disputes.
Julius Abure, the LP’s national chairman, is in a power struggle with the NLC leadership headed by Joe Ajaero.
The labour union alleges that Mr. Abure and a faction of his supporters are planning to conduct a national convention in Abia State with the backing of certain electoral commission staff members.
The correspondence referenced two court rulings in 2024, which invalidated the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
These rulings were secured by NLC and other plaintiffs, who accused Mr. Abure of illegitimately assuming the leadership position of the party.
The plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit include the NLC, the Labour Party, as well as individuals such as Salihu Mohammed, Lawson Osagie, Baba Aye, Ikpe Etokudo, Sylvester Ejiofor, Lucy Ofion, and Salamatu Aliyu. The defendants named in the suit are Mr. Abure and INEC.
“Given the foregoing, we are compelled to urge you to refrain yourself and properly advise your clients to desist from proceeding with the illegal national convention of the labour party scheduled for March 27, 2024.
“Upon failing, we shall institute contempt proceedings against you and the other defendants and report you to the disciplinary committee of the NBA,” the NLC threatened in the letter to the LP legal adviser.
Drawing the attention of the INEC chairman to the issue, the NLC advised the electoral umpire to restrain its officials “from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for rule of law by attending the illegal convention.”
“…unless you comply with the foregoing request forthwith, we shall approach the Federal High Court and institute contempt proceedings against you.”
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja on 6 March affirmed Mr Abure as the national chairman of the party.
The appellate court in the judgment also voided the judgment of an FCT High Court which restrained Mr Abure and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
On Tuesday, the NLC picketted the national headquarters of the LP in Abuja. It was part of the move by the labour union to stop the proposed convention.