The leadership of the Labour Party has hailed Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court, saying Julius Abure, contrary to insinuations in some quarters, remains the National Chairman of the party.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party Obiora Ifoh made this clarification in a statement issued in Abuja.
Pointblanknews reported that in a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which earlier recognised Abure’s chairmanship.
The apex court, in its decision, stated that matters relating to party leadership are internal affairs, over which the judiciary has no jurisdiction.
Furthermore, the court also observed that, based on the submissions before it, Abure’s tenure had already expired.
However, Ifoh insisted that the apex court did not sack Abure.
He said, “The supreme court judgment didn’t sack Labour Party national chairman, Julius Abure. Rather it rightly upheld the preceding and accumulated high courts and appeal court judgments upholding the immutability of responsibility of Labour Party structures to choose its leaders.
“The judgement did not also set aside the Appeal Court judgement in Labour Party vs Ebiseni and 2 others (CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024) delivered on 13 November 2024, which affirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. The judgement is still valid and subsisting and has not been appealed.
“The implication is very clear. Abure remains the Labour Party national chairman. The question is: who are the leaders of the party? The party constitution is clear as to who are the leaders of the party. The leadership of the party has been the National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure.”
According to Ifoh, LP Constitution is clear on who has the power to call for the national convention or any national meeting.
He cited Article 14 of the 2024 constitution of the party as amended, which gives powers to the National Secretary of the party “To issue notices of meetings of the national convention, national executive council, the national working committee in consultation with and approval of the National Chairman.
“Accordingly, the National convention of the party was called by the leadership of the party on the 27 of March 2024, where the leaders of the party emerged. The report of the National Convention is already with INEC and that leadership is recognized by INEC.
“The gathering of people in Umuahia is clearly not in line with the constitution, and therefore, the celebration by some persons that the leadership of Julius Abure has been sacked was only trying to be mischievous and misleading and that the Supreme Court didn’t say so.
“We are therefore calling on all true members of the Labour Party to abide by the judgment of the apex court to always resort to internal party mechanisms in resolving party affairs and not to always rush to the court. The position of the Supreme Court is that the structures of the party are capable of handling any matters as it concerns its affairs, and as it is today, the national chairman remains Barrister Julius Abure.”
In his reaction, the LP National Caretaker Committee Secretary, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha who was present at the Supreme Court in Abuja during the judgment expressed gratitude to the Justices of the Supreme Court for their fair and forthright decision.
He said, “This ruling is a monumental victory for the Labour Party and, more importantly, for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
“It demonstrates that the judiciary remains the last hope for the common man, ensuring that justice and the rule of law prevail in the face of challenges.”
He also emphasised that the judgment is a clear indication that despite the struggles Nigeria faces, the nation’s democracy is resilient, and the judicial system remains a pillar of strength. It is also seen as a crucial step towards unifying the party and fostering an environment conducive to political reform and nation-building.
“This historic ruling is not only a victory for the Labour Party, but also for the Nigerian people and our democracy. It affirms that the rule of law will always be upheld.
“We now have an opportunity to rebuild Nigeria’s democracy and strengthen our party, which remains the political party of choice for millions of Nigerians.”