The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that Julius Abure’s term as National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) ended in June 2024.
This statement was made in a counter-affidavit submitted in response to LP’s lawsuit, which contested its exclusion from INEC’s refresher training for party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC has declared LP’s leadership, including Abure, as invalid and does not recognize the party’s March 2024 National Convention, which purportedly re-elected Abure as chairman.
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According to the electoral commission, the Labour Party’s convention breached both the Constitution and the Electoral Act. INEC stated it only engages with parties that have valid and legitimate leadership.
In a supporting written address, INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa (SAN), argued that LP’s lawsuit sought declaratory reliefs that could not be granted merely based on admissions.
The team maintained that LP must demonstrate the strength of its case independently, regardless of any admissions made.
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The commission’s lawyers further argued that, due to LP’s failure to adhere to the relevant legal frameworks in conducting its national convention, “LP does not have a valid leadership that INEC can recognize or engage with.”
They urged the court to dismiss the suit, asserting that the Labour Party was not entitled to the reliefs it sought.
INEC stated it neither monitored nor participated in the alleged National Convention of the LP held on March 27, 2024, in Anambra State, where Abure claimed re-election.
INEC argued that the convention violated the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, and LP’s Constitution 2019.
The commission also contended that as of August 16, 2024, when the refresher training notice was issued, the Labour Party lacked a valid national chairman or secretary, as their tenures had expired in June.
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