Labour Party Faction Says Julius Abure Remains National Chairman Until 2028
The faction of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure has stated that he is still the national chairman of the party. The group announced on Tuesday that his current tenure is valid and will last until 2028.
Aju Elumelu James, the Special Adviser to Abure on Media and Strategic Communications, signed the public statement.
The party explained that this clarification was necessary to correct the conflicting stories spreading about the leadership of the party.
The statement noted that the issue of party leadership is currently before the Court of Appeal. The group warned against using the ongoing legal process to spread false information about verified constitutional facts.
The document provided a history of the leadership changes in the party. Following the death of former National Chairman Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam in December 2020, Maria Lebeke stepped in as the acting chairman.
The party later elected Abure on March 29, 2021, to complete the remaining time of the late chairman.
Before that tenure expired in June 2023, the party held a meeting in Asaba in April 2023 and extended his leadership for one year.
The party then held a National Convention on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi. At this convention, the party elected the current leadership to serve until 2028.
“It is fallacious, misleading, and mischievous to continue to suggest that the tenure of Barrister Julius Abure has expired,” the statement read.
The group also clarified the position of the Supreme Court on the matter. They stated that the Supreme Court ruled that leadership disputes are internal party matters and courts do not have the power to handle such issues.
The Abure faction advised party members and the public to rely on facts. They maintained that only official party organs have the authority to decide on leadership matters.
This development comes during a period of high tension within the Labour Party. A Federal High Court ruling in January sacked Abure as chairman and recognised a caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman.
Last week, the Usman faction also accused supporters of Abure of invading the party secretariat.
