A high-powered delegation from the Labour Party visited the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday, where they formally submitted the recent Supreme Court judgment that appears to resolve the party’s protracted leadership tussle.
The delegation, led by the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, was received by INEC officials at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. During the meeting, which lasted approximately two hours, the Labour Party representatives presented certified true copies of the Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the legitimacy of the current national executive committee.
“Today marks a significant turning point in the history of our party,” Abure told journalists after the meeting. “We have officially presented the Supreme Court judgment that puts to rest all questions regarding the authentic leadership of the Labour Party. INEC has received the document and we are confident that this brings closure to the unfortunate distraction that has hampered our party’s growth.”
The leadership crisis, which had threatened to derail the party’s momentum following its impressive showing in the 2023 general elections, erupted when a faction challenged the legitimacy of the Abure-led executive, claiming irregularities in the party’s convention that produced the current leadership.
INEC’s Commissioner for Political Party Monitoring, Professor Kunle Ajayi, who received the delegation, acknowledged receipt of the court judgment and assured that the commission would thoroughly review the document in line with its mandate.
“As the regulatory body for political parties, we will study the judgment and ensure our records reflect the position of the law,” Professor Ajayi stated. “INEC remains committed to strengthening our democratic institutions by respecting judicial pronouncements while maintaining our neutrality.”
The Supreme Court ruling, delivered last week by a seven-member panel of justices, unanimously dismissed the claims of the rival faction, describing their case as “lacking in merit” and reaffirming the validity of the party convention that produced the current executive.
Political analysts view this development as potentially revitalizing for the Labour Party, which had seen its post-2023 election momentum slowed by internal wrangling. Dr. Amina Bello of the Centre for Democracy and Development noted that “this resolution could not have come at a better time for the Labour Party, as it allows them to refocus on consolidating their position as a major political force ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.”
Party faithful who gathered outside the INEC headquarters celebrated the development, with many expressing relief that the party could now redirect its energy toward providing credible opposition and preparing for future elections.
“With this leadership question settled, we can now focus on building our grassroots structures across the country and offering Nigerians a viable alternative political platform,” said Obinna Nwosu, the party’s National Secretary who was part of the delegation.
The Labour Party has indicated plans to hold a national stakeholders’ meeting next month to develop strategies for strengthening the party’s structure nationwide and addressing other issues crucial to its growth and stability.
As political parties begin positioning themselves for the next electoral cycle, observers believe this resolution gives the Labour Party a chance to build on the momentum it generated during the last general elections, where it emerged as a significant third force in Nigeria’s traditionally two-party dominated political landscape..
