1 week Ago By Torkwase Nyiekaa
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Hails It as Key to Party’s Revival ABUJA – The Labour Party’s House of Representatives caucus has expressed its support for today’s Supreme Court ruling, which removed Julius Abure from his role as the national chairman of the party, calling it a crucial step toward restoring stability and ensuring the party’s reinvention. According to the caucus, this decision serves as a strong message to leaders who believe they can act with unchecked authority in a democracy, reminding them that the power ultimately lies with the people. Hon.
Afam Victor Ogene, leader of the caucus, issued a statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling, describing the judgment as a “much-needed catalyst for the rejuvenation of the party,” which has been marred by internal leadership disputes in recent months. He expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for delivering a firm and clear verdict that provides the party with a fresh opportunity to move forward. The Supreme Court’s ruling overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had affirmed Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman.
In a unanimous decision on Friday, April 4, 2025, a five-judge panel of the Supreme Court concluded that the Court of Appeal did not have the authority to declare Abure as the LP’s National Chairman, as the matter in question was centered on the leadership of the party. Hon. Ogene remarked that, following the recent decisive ruling, the Labour Party is now poised to take swift action in addressing internal issues and restoring unity within the party.
This will help reassure the party’s supporters of its ongoing relevance and prepare it for future elections, with a strong focus on leadership that truly reflects the interests and well-being of the people. According to Ogene, by next week, the National Caretaker Committee (NCC), led by the esteemed former Minister of Finance, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, is expected to hold a comprehensive meeting with all relevant stakeholders to discuss the way forward. The lawmaker noted that the party’s ongoing leadership turmoil could have been avoided had the former chairman and his team heeded the advice of the Caucus or taken steps to address the concerns of key stakeholders.
These stakeholders had cautioned the leadership to be more thoughtful and sensitive in handling the party’s affairs. However, in an act of arrogance and unchecked ambition, Abure disregarded these warnings, which ultimately created the conditions for the crisis to escalate. As an example, in March 2024, Labour Party Representatives in the House had called for the postponement of the National Convention, initially scheduled for the end of that month, in order to allow for further discussions and to address the ongoing leadership disputes within the party.
The Caucus had emphasized the importance of prioritizing the party’s health and long-term stability, especially in light of its ongoing internal conflicts. As representatives of the people, they believed the party required time to address leadership disputes and organizational issues before hosting a potentially divisive convention. However, despite this sincere plea, the party leadership, as noted by Hon.
Ogene, chose to launch verbal attacks against them, publicly denouncing the Caucus in the media and threatening to withhold re-election tickets for the 2027 elections. This response, according to Ogene, was not only inconsiderate but also undemocratic and disrespectful to the Caucus, whose only aim was to ensure the peace, unity, sustainability, and success of the party. Hon.
Ogene added that the uncertainty surrounding the availability of party tickets for the upcoming elections has already led to the loss of six Caucus members..
