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SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT CTC SACKED ABURE – ALEX OTTI, SUBMITS REPORT TO INEC
Supporters of the Labour Party (LP), led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman’s National Caretaker Committee, erupted in celebration on Wednesday following the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment on the party’s leadership dispute.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, took center stage at the celebration, reading excerpts from the document and announcing that the Supreme Court had affirmed Senator Usman’s leadership of the party and sacked the faction loyal to the national chairman of the party, Julius Abure.
He also revealed that the court had admonished politicians to adhere to the tenures of office outlined in their respective political party constitutions.
Governor Otti emphasised that the court’s ruling was a crucial victory for the party. He further stressed the importance of respecting party constitutions and the terms of office for all political officeholders.
The jubilation followed a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court last Friday, which set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The Court of Appeal had previously recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, but the apex court determined that the lower court had overstepped its jurisdiction.
The five-member panel of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to declare Abure as the party’s national chairman.
The judgment, which centered on the leadership dispute within the Labour Party, clarified that the issue of leadership is an internal matter for the party, and as such, courts have no authority to intervene.
The Supreme Court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman and another individual, ruling it to be meritorious. The court also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Abure’s faction of the party, deeming it unmeritorious.
Otti later led a high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP) to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to formally submit the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent Supreme Court judgment relating to the party’s leadership.
The development was disclosed by INEC via its official social media handle.
The electoral body confirmed that discussions were held to clarify the party’s current leadership structure.
Governor Otti led the faction which has Senator Nenadi Usman as Chairman.
The delegation was received by INEC’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, alongside several National Commissioners. According to INEC, the meeting reinforced its commitment to democratic principles.
Olumekun assured the LP team that the Commission remains steadfast in its dedication to neutrality, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law in the performance of its constitutional duties.
The move comes amid deepening divisions within the party, as a parallel faction has emerged with a fresh claim to the national leadership.
Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa, at a press briefing held in Abuja, declared himself the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing a recent judgment of the Supreme Court as justification for his declaration.
Apapa said the apex court ruling invalidates all decisions and actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023.
