Fatimah Otunsanya
The Abure-led Labour Party on Tuesday reaffirmed that Julius Abure remains the party’s National Chairman and that his tenure is valid until 2028, dismissing claims to the contrary.
In a statement signed by Special Adviser to Abure on Media and Strategic Communications, Aju Elumelu-James, the party said the clarification was necessary because “a flurry of conflicting narratives has flooded the public space regarding the leadership of the Labour Party, particularly concerning the tenure of Barrister Julius Abure.”
The statement emphasised that “while the matter of party leadership is presently before the Court of Appeal, it has become necessary to separate legal proceedings from misinformation. The ongoing judicial process does not justify the distortion of verifiable constitutional facts.”
It detailed the succession of leadership in the party, noting that following the death of former National Chairman Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam in December 2020, Maria Lebeke, a Deputy National Chairman, was appointed acting chairman.
“She convened a National Executive Council meeting, and Barrister Julius Abure was unanimously elected on 29 March 2021 to complete the tenure of the late chairman,” the statement said.
The party also highlighted that prior to the expiration of the tenure in June 2023, a NEC meeting in Asaba in April 2023 extended the leadership by one year.
“Before the expiration of that extended tenure in June 2024, a National Convention was held on 27 March 2024 in Nnewi, where the current leadership of the party was elected. Following the March 2024 convention, his tenure is expected to run until 2028,” the statement added.
Addressing recent controversies, the statement said, “It is fallacious, misleading, and mischievous to continue to suggest that the tenure of Barrister Julius Abure has expired.”
It further clarified the Supreme Court’s position, stating, “The Supreme Court did not delve into the issue of party leadership or the validity of the convention held in Nnewi. The Court merely held that matters concerning the leadership of a political party are internal affairs of that party and that the courts lack jurisdiction to entertain such disputes.”
The Abure-led faction urged members and the public to “rely on verifiable constitutional facts and disregard misinformation,” stressing that only the party’s recognised organs—National Working Committee, National Executive Council, and National Convention—have authority over leadership matters.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the party, following a January Federal High Court ruling that sacked Abure as chairman and recognised a caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman, and last week’s accusations by the Usman-led NWC of an alleged invasion of the party secretariat by Abure’s supporters.
