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This appears to be the end of the road for Barrister Julius Abure as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said he is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party following the expiration of his tenure in June 2024.
INEC labeled his continued claim to the position as illegal and unconstitutional.
This position was made clear in a counter-affidavit submitted by Ayuba Mohammed, an executive officer in INEC’s Litigation and Prosecution Department on Monday, in response to a legal suit filed by the Labour Party (Suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024).
INEC stressed that it does not acknowledge the party’s National Convention in March 2024, which claimed to have re-elected Abure as chairman.
The commission maintained that the convention was in violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, stating that it only engages with parties that have valid and recognized leadership.
In a written statement supporting the counter affidavit, INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, SAN, argued that the Labour Party’s lawsuit is seeking declaratory reliefs that cannot be granted simply based on admissions.
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They contended that the Labour Party must prove its case on its own merits, even in light of any admissions made.
The Commission’s lawyers further asserted that, having failed to adhere to the applicable legal frameworks in conducting its national convention, the Labour Party does not have a valid leadership with which INEC can engage.
They urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit, insisting that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs it seeks.
