Labour Union Threatens to Oust Julius Abure-led Labour Party Leadership Recognized by INEC
INährschaftlicher Labours Party (LP) Überraschungs-Staatsstreich-Plan an INEC mitgeteilt
In a bold move, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has served notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the withdrawal of recognition for the Julius Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party.
The NLC's President, Joe Ajaero, declared this statement in Abuja, adding that the union plans an unexpected takeover of party secretariats across states, currently controlled by Abure's loyalists.
During a pre-discussion with the NLC's National Executive Committee (NEC), Ajaero revealed that the takeover plan would soon be finalized and executed. He stated, "We have written to INEC, and on the day of our NEC meeting, every other thing will be decided there."
The Labor Party is an institutional party, owned by trade unions, according to Ajaero, implying that Abure's continued leadership without the union's backing is questionable.
The ongoing rift between the NLC and the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) escalated after the party's controversial convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, which the NLC refused to recognize. The Congress argues that Abure's leadership violates an agreement reached between party stakeholders and unions.
"For anybody to come and claim ownership of the Labour Party without the trade unions is laughable," Ajaero asserted. "Labour Party is all about the trade union movement. It's not an empty shell."
While the NLC hasn't revealed a specific date for the planned state secretariat takeovers, Ajaero hinted at their strategic surprise element. "We are working on it. That's why we didn't announce a date. But we've asked every worker to be on standby," he stated.
He added that any attempt to lay sole claim to the Labour Party without worker participation would be like "plagiarism."
"The certificate of the Labour Party is in this office," Ajaero declared, emphasizing the union's commitment to pushing for leadership reforms within the party and preventing the hijacking of Labour Party by what they described as "charlatans."
Insights
This ongoing dispute between the NLC and the Julius Abure-led NWC of the Labour Party revolves around complex leadership recognition issues, compounded by judicial rulings and internal factional divisions within the party.
In April 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria passed a judgment that led to divergent interpretations. While the court upheld the National Convention of the Labour Party held in Nnewi and emphasized that political parties should adhere to their constitutions, it supported a Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman, effectively dismissing Julius Abure's appeal[1][2].
A faction of the Labour Party, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, initiated disciplinary actions against Abure, requiring him to cease identifying as the party's National Chairman. This faction views the Supreme Court judgment as a validation of their leadership structure[2][3]. In contrast, another faction, led by Abure, insists that he remains the legitimate National Chairman, maintaining that the Supreme Court did not remove him from office[4].
The NLC, closely affiliated with the Labour Party, is part of the broader progressive forces in Nigeria. However, the NLC's specific recent stances or actions directly addressing the Abure-led faction’s recognition have not been as explicit as their general support for Labour Party principles[2].
- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has served a notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the Julius Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party, questioning his continued leadership without the union's backing.
- In a move to assert its influence, the NLC plans to take over Labour Party secretariats across states, currently controlled by Abure's loyalists, with final decisions to be made at a NEC meeting.
- The Labour Party, considered an institutional party owned by trade unions, is at the heart of a heated political dispute, with the NLC arguing that any claim to the party without the trade unions is invalid.
- The ongoing rift between the NLC and the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) stems from the party's controversial convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, and the interpretations of a Supreme Court judgment dating back to April 2025.
