The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has reiterated its disavowal of the leadership of the Labour Party (LP) under Julius Abure, asserting that the recent judgment by the Abuja Federal High Court affirming his position will not compel them to recognize him as the party’s chairman. This statement comes in the wake of Justice Emeka Nwite’s ruling on October 9, which mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Justice Nwite also validated the March 27 national convention held in Nnewi, which reinstated Abure and other executives.
In a statement released on Thursday by Theophilus Ndubuaku, the acting chairman of the NLC Political Commission, it was argued that Abure’s leadership is detrimental to the party’s stability, especially with elections approaching. Ndubuaku characterized the court’s ruling as a serious miscarriage of justice, noting that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)—both recognized statutory bodies in the party’s constitution—were not included as parties in the case.
He stated, “The NLC Political Commission views the judgment as a desperate move by Julius Abure and his associates, who seek to exploit the Labour Party for their personal gain. Their attempts to manipulate the judiciary reflect a broader agenda to undermine the party ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Ndubuaku criticized both Justice Omotosho’s and Justice Nwite’s rulings for granting legitimacy to what he termed an “expired leadership” under Abure. He insisted that the controversial Nnewi Convention was conducted in violation of prior court rulings and the Labour Party’s constitution.
Furthermore, Ndubuaku accused Abure of breaching a prior agreement established between the NWC and the party’s Board of Trustees in April 2022, a deal monitored by INEC. He explained that Abure, who assumed the role of National Secretary in 2021 following the passing of then-National Chairman Alhaji A.A. Salaam, was not meant to take over leadership. Instead, it was decided that his term would end in June, paving the way for a new convention.
The acting chairman expressed support for the Interim Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party, led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, and announced intentions to challenge the recent court rulings at the Appeal Court. He urged INEC to respect existing laws and maintain its stance on the non-recognition of Abure’s leadership until all legal avenues have been exhausted.
He emphasized that acknowledging Senator Usman’s Caretaker Committee would be essential in countering attempts by rival political interests to create a perception of crisis within the Labour Party, which could undermine its participation in upcoming elections.
Ndubuaku reassured Labour Party members not to lose hope, arguing that Abure and his supporters are merely pawns for political interests that contradict the party’s principles. He firmly stated that no number of court rulings would impose Abure on the Labour Party, asserting that the triumph of the people’s will over forces of corruption and tyranny is inevitable.