The Labour Party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold and respect valid court judgements regarding the party’s leadership, following reports that the former National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, attended the Commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
In a statement issued by Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser, Media, to the Interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi E. Usman, the party described Abure’s attendance as an “act of impersonation” and a “tragic reflection” of the alleged willingness of certain officials within INEC to disregard the rule of law.
The party recalled that the Supreme Court, on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025, delivered a unanimous judgement declaring that Julius Abure was no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party. This ruling was subsequently reinforced by a Federal High Court judgement in Abuja on August 15, 2025 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025), which also rejected Abure’s claims to the chairmanship position.
According to the statement, INEC had itself affirmed Abure’s removal in a counter affidavit dated August 13, 2025, deposing under oath that he was no longer the party’s chairman. The party therefore expressed dismay that the Commission would now permit his participation in an official meeting, describing such action as “a deliberate affront to the authority of the courts” and “a grave desecration of judicial pronouncements.”
The Labour Party further noted that the previous INEC leadership under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had, as far back as July 29, 2024, prevented Abure from attending a similar consultative meeting, citing his lack of legitimacy as national chairman—months before the Supreme Court and Federal High Court judgements that have since affirmed that position.
The statement questioned the authority under which the current INEC officials acted to allow Abure’s participation, warning that such disregard for court orders constitutes contempt and undermines the integrity of the Commission.
“The current INEC leadership must remember that even a transitional tenure can leave a lasting stain on history,” the statement added. “Every action taken today will be judged tomorrow.”
The Labour Party therefore urged INEC to immediately enforce the subsisting court judgements on its leadership and avoid further actions that could erode public trust in the Commission’s impartiality and credibility.
