The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the former National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Julius Abure, of flagrantly defying a recent Supreme Court ruling that nullified his leadership.
Newsmen had reported that a five-member panel of the Supreme Court unanimously held that the appellate court had no jurisdiction to meddle in the party’s leadership tussle.
According to the justices, the matter was strictly an internal party affair, one that courts have no business adjudicating.
The opposing factions of the party have interpreted this verdict as being in their favour.
In a press release signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the labour union condemned Abure’s continued claims to the LP chairmanship despite what it described as an “explicit and unambiguous” Supreme Court judgement delivered on April 4, 2025, affirming the expiration of his tenure.
Ajaero characterised Abure’s actions as “a reckless assault against the grain of constitutionality and the rule of law” and declared his continued occupation of the LP leadership post as a “grave contempt of court.”
Ajaero further dismissed allegations reportedly made by Abure, suggesting the NLC was orchestrating attacks on LP offices across the country.
“We will no longer condone the antics of inconsequential characters like Mr. Julius Abure,” Ajaero stated.
“Nigerian workers and people, especially genuine members of the Labour Party, will not sit back and watch unscrupulous elements desecrate Nigeria’s laws and the well-founded judgement of the Supreme Court.”
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling by withdrawing any official recognition of Abure and his National Working Committee.
Ajaero also urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enforce the judgement by upholding their constitutional duties.
He outlined the path forward for the Labour Party, insisting that only the surviving members of the LP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) possess the legal mandate to appoint an interim leadership and convene a Special National Convention.
According to Ajaero, this must be done in strict adherence to the party’s constitution and an existing consent judgement.
He called on Nigerian workers, LP members, and democratic advocates nationwide to remain vigilant and ready.
“A word is enough for the wise!” Ajaero warned, signalling a potential escalation in the ongoing power struggle within the party.
With tensions rising and party unity at stake, the NLC’s intervention adds new urgency to the battle over the soul of the Labour Party.
Last Friday, the Labour Party denied circulating reports that a Supreme Court ruling had nullified the recognition of Abure as its National Chairman.
According to the party, the news report is false.
In a statement released on Friday, Dr. Arabambi Abayomi, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, addressed the issue, affirming that the Supreme Court ruling in question had no impact on the party’s leadership.
“What transpired in court today was clear,” Abayomi explained. “The Supreme Court struck out suits filed by Nenadi and Abure, emphasising that only political parties have the authority to determine their leadership. The court further stated that the judiciary should not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.”
According to the Labour Party, the ruling also extended to earlier decisions made by the trial court and the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court ruled that the trial court had overstepped its jurisdiction by making pronouncements on the party’s leadership.
“The court’s message was unambiguous – political parties must follow their constitutions and the Labour Party adhered to its constitution in organising the convention that led to the election of Bar Julius Abure as National Chairman and Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as National Secretary,” Abayomi clarified.
He said as a result, the Labour Party leadership confirmed that Julius Abure remained the duly recognised National Chairman, with Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the National Secretary.
The party leadership stressed that these positions are legally binding, as confirmed by the court’s ruling.
“The only legitimate national leadership of the Labour Party remains as follows: Bar Julius Abure as National Chairman and Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as National Secretary,” he added.
The Labour Party called on its supporters and the public to disregard the misinformation circulating and to remain focused on the party’s mission and leadership.
