Labour Party: Abure Rejects Appeal Court Judgment, Heads to Supreme Court

The leadership crisis within the Labour Party took a new turn on Tuesday as the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal, describing it as “not acceptable” and announcing plans to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.

Speaking in a statement following the appellate court’s decision, Abure said the ruling was inconsistent with established legal principles and dismissed claims that the tenure of the current National Executive had expired.

He maintained that the courts have consistently held that the leadership of a political party is an internal affair, insisting that the judiciary ought not to interfere in such matters.

“We have seen what transpired today at the Appeal Court and we want to say very clearly that the judgment is not acceptable to all of us in the Labour Party led by my humble self,” Abure stated.

According to him, the party’s leadership remains valid following its national convention held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, which he described as “valid and subsisting for four years.”

He faulted the court’s interpretation of the tenure of the executive, insisting it failed to properly consider the outcome of that convention.

Abure also dismissed the legitimacy of a rival gathering held in Umuahia, which produced a caretaker committee, arguing that it violated the Labour Party constitution.

“It is only the National Chairman and National Secretary of a political party who have the power to convene any NEC meeting of any sort,” he said.

The Labour Party chairman further confirmed that the party would challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.

“We are going to appeal that decision. Today’s decision of the Appeal Court is not acceptable to us and we reject it in its entirety. We have put our legal team together and we are going to file an appeal and move to the Supreme Court,” he added.