INEC Confirms Abure’s Labour Party Chairmanship Ended in June 2024, Challenges LP’s Leadership Validity
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that Julius Abure’s term as the Labour Party’s (LP) National Chairman expired in June 2024. This assertion was made in a counter-affidavit submitted in response to LP’s lawsuit against INEC for excluding the party from refresher training meant to prepare agents for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC has invalidated LP’s leadership and does not recognize the party’s March 2024 National Convention, where Abure was purportedly re-elected. The commission argues that the convention breached both the Constitution and the Electoral Act, as it does not acknowledge parties with invalid or expired leadership.
INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa (SAN), argued that LP’s suit seeks reliefs that cannot be granted solely on the basis of admissions. They maintain that LP must demonstrate a valid case according to legal standards. The team emphasized that LP’s failure to adhere to legal requirements in organizing its national convention means that INEC does not recognize its current leadership.
The commission has requested the court to dismiss the LP’s suit, arguing that the party is not entitled to the requested reliefs. INEC further stated that it neither monitored nor participated in the LP’s convention held on March 27, 2024, in Anambra State. According to INEC, this convention violated the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s regulations, and LP’s 2019 Constitution. As of August 16, 2024, when the refresher training notice was issued, INEC asserted that LP had no valid national chairman or secretary, as their terms had expired in June.
