The acting National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Nenadi Usman, has strongly criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for permitting Julius Abure, a factional leader of the party, to attend its quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders.
Join our WhatsApp community
Usman condemned INEC’s decision as a direct disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Citing the Supreme Court’s unanimous judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025, she reminded the commission that the court had clearly declared Julius Abure was no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
She accused some persons who she referred to as “rogue elements within INEC” for permitting Abure’s attendance at the meeting, adding that such “is not only reprehensible but also a deliberate affront to the authority of our courts.”
According to the Labour Party the electoral umpire cannot, in one breath, depose under oath that Abure is no longer chairman, and in another, accord him recognition.
Labour Party said such conduct amounts to contempt of court and a grave desecration of the sanctity of our judicial system, particularly the pronouncements of the Supreme Court.
A statement signed by Usman’s Senior Special Adviser, Media, Ken Asogwa, on Tuesday, wondered where INEC derived the authority to override and overrule the various court pronouncements sacking Abure as LP national leader, hence enabling “Abure’s participation in today’s meeting?
“This reckless display of impunity is unacceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.
“While the current INEC leadership may be transitional, it must remember that even a brief tenure can leave a lasting stain on history. Every action taken today will be judged tomorrow. Posterity records everything,” she stated.
While calling on INEC to immediately enforce the valid judgements of the courts regarding the leadership of the party, the party cautioned, “if the current leadership lacks the courage to uphold the rule of law, it should at least refrain from further tarnishing what remains of the Commission’s credibility before its eventual exit.”
The statement read in part, “The Labour Party has noted, with deep concern, reports that the erstwhile National Chairman of the Party, Barr. Julius Abure, attended the quarterly consultative meeting between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and leaders of political parties held on Tuesday, 14th October 2025.
“While this brazen act of impersonation may appear comical to some, it is, in truth, a tragic reflection of the extent to which certain elements within INEC are willing to compromise the integrity of the Commission by lending themselves to such ignoble conduct – in utter defiance of valid and subsisting court judgements, including that of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“For the avoidance of doubt, on 4th April 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025, delivered a unanimous landmark judgement unequivocally declaring that Barr. Julius Abure was no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
“This pronouncement was further reinforced by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025, delivered on 15th August 2025, which expressly rejected Julius Abure’s prayers based on the earlier judgement of the apex court that held that he was no longer the national chairman of the Labour Party.”
The party added: “While the current INEC leadership may be transitional, it must remember that even a brief tenure can leave a lasting stain on history. Every action taken today will be judged tomorrow. Posterity records everything.”
It, therefore, called on the electoral commission to immediately enforce the valid judgements of courts regarding the leadership of the party, saying “if the current leadership lacks the courage to uphold the rule of law, it should at least refrain from further tarnishing what remains of the Commission’s credibility before its eventual exit.”
