The Skirmish Over Labour Party Leadership: INEC Ponders Supreme Court's Verdict
INEC Reviewing Supreme Court Decision Regarding Peter Obi and Abure Controversy
Here's the lowdown on the current tussle for control within the Labour Party, following the recent Supreme Court ruling.
Unnamed sources within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have confirmed to The PUNCH that the commission is mulling over the court's decision. According to one official, no definitive decision has been reached on the Supreme Court judgment yet concerning the Labour Party[1]. A second official added that the commission will not make a decision until they have obtained a Certified True Copy of the judgment and studied it meticulously to discern the court's intentions[1].
The apex court delivered its judgment on April 4, 2025, overruling an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal that recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman. The Supreme Court found that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction over internal party matters[2]. However, this ruling has given rise to divergent viewpoints, with Abure asserting that the Supreme Court did not dismiss him from his position[3]. In contrast, the LP Caretaker Committee, headed by Nenadi Usman, argues that Abure has been deposed[3]. Moreover, Lamidi Apapa has surfaced as another claimant for the party's leadership[3].
In an attempt to shed light on the leadership confusion, an LP delegation, fronted by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, paid a visit to INEC headquarters on April 9. During the visit, Otti presented a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court's judgment to INEC, hoping to clarify the party's leadership and enhance communication with the electoral body[3]. The delegation was received by INEC National Commissioner Sam Olumekun and other senior officials. Discussions during the meeting centered on enhancing collaboration between INEC and the Labour Party, with a focus on upholding democratic values[3]. Olumekun reaffirmed the commission's commitment to neutrality, transparency, and following the rule of law in its responsibilities.
Julius Abure, through LP National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, reiterated on Thursday that he remains the authentic LP National Chairman[3]. Abure explained that the party's position, after careful review of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, is that it affirmed the National Convention of the party held on March 27, 2024 at Nnewi[3]. Abure further stated that internal party disputes should be addressed according to the party's constitution, as per the Supreme Court's instruction[3]. He implored party members, specifically Governor Alex Otti and Peter Obi, to respect the court's decision and refrain from fueling the divide within the party[3].
Abure emphasized that the party had fulfilled all legal requirements before the contentious National Convention and that some confusion regarding the judgment's interpretation was based on a misinterpretation of the verdict[3]. He reiterated the importance of adhering to the party's internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
Abure's press conference took place two weeks after Obi and Otti's supporters presented a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment at a parallel meeting of the LP National Executive Committee in Abuja[2]. The meeting saw the attendance of Peter Obi, Senator Victor Umeh, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, and other prominent Labour Party figures, along with members of the Obidient Movement Worldwide.
In response to comment requests, the spokesperson for the Usman-led caretaker committee, Tony Akeni, deferred a response, citing his poor health[2]. He promised to call back but remained inaccessible at the time of publication. Efforts to reach Obi's media aide, Umar Ibrahim, also went unanswered[2].
- The Labor Party (LP) leadership battle, following the Supreme Court's decision, has been a point of discussion in Nigeria (naija) and general news.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after receiving a Certified True Copy of the judgment, is deliberating on its implications for the LP.
- Despite the Supreme Court's ruling on April 4, 2025, there is dissonance regarding the position of Julius Abure, with some arguing he has been deposed and others asserting he remains the authentic LP National Chairman.
- In an attempt to clarify the matter, an LP delegation visited the INEC headquarters, presenting a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment.
- Sam Olumekun, an INEC National Commissioner, reaffirmed the commission's commitment to upholding democratic values, transparency, and following the rule of law.
- Julius Abure, through his National Publicity Secretary, reiterated that the Supreme Court verdict reaffirmed the National Convention held on March 27, 2024, at Nnewi.
- Abure emphasized the importance of adhering to the party's internal dispute resolution mechanisms and appealed to party members to respect the court's decision.
- The confusion over the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment has been compounded by the distribution of conflicting information, similar to the war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues often seen in policy-and-legislation and political discourse.
- As the parties involved seek clarification and resolution, this issue, reminiscent of previous car-accidents and fires that have engulfed the party, underscores the need for clear and consistent policy and leadership within the Labour Party.
