- Safiu Kehinde
In the wake of Julius Abure’s invite to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) fourth consultative meetings with political parties, Labour Party has claimed that the electoral body has finally obeyed court’s order to recognize Abure as the party’s National Chairman.
Labour Party made the claim in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
As contained in the statement, LP considered Abure’s invite to represent the party at INEC’s meeting with the Nigerian political parties as a sign of INEC eventual submission to the verdict of the Abuja Federal High Court which affirmed Abure’s role as the Labour Party’s National Chairman.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has finally obeyed the court order compelling it to recognize the Barrister Julius Abure leadership of the Labour Party.
In a letter addressed to Barrister Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the Secretary of the Commission, Rose Oriaran- Anthony, invited the Labour Party to the fourth consultative meeting with the political parties.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday October, 8, 2024 had earlier declared that the 2024 Labour Party national convention held in Nnewi in March was valid, constitutional and in line with all laid down laws in Nigeria.
In a judgement made by Justice Emeka Nwite while delivering the judgement went further to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to grant due recognition and all privileges to the Labour Party’s National Working Committee as led by Barrister Julius Abure.” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, had, after the meeting with INEC, enjoined members of the party to rally round Abure leadership as they prepare for Anambra governorship election which was announced by INEC at the meeting.
He also said that with this development, the party is set for the rest of the political activities including the Anambra governorship election as announced by the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
“With the issue of leadership now completely resolved, I urge every member of the party to rally round the Abure leadership. What transpired is only a family affairs and we will as a family work towards restoring confidence to the party and every aggrieved or misled member of the party.
“Labour Party will come back stronger but we need everyone to join in the process of rebuilding the paper. It is a no victor nor vanquish situation. We are all winners. The party is however supreme and every member must work towards achieving set targets of the party.” Farouk said.