From Our Correspondent
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, said the tenure Mr Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Labour Party expired in June 2024 and has thus, ceased to lead the party.
TheNewsZenith reports that INEC stated this stance in a counter-affidavit it filed in response to a court case filed by the party against the commission.
LP had filed the suit challenging INEC for excluding the party from the commission’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
The electoral umpire, therefore, reiterated that “it is illegal and unconstitutional for Julius Abure to continue identifying himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party”.
INEC also said the same status applied to other members of the party’s national working committee, as their tenures expired in June 2024.
The commission argued that LP’s leadership, including Abure, is now invalid.
It said it does not recognise the party’s March 2024 National Convention, which purported to re-elect Abure as chairman.
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INEC maintained that the convention violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The commission noted that it only deals with parties that have legitimate leadership in place.
INEC’s legal team said in a written submission supporting the counter affidavit, that LP’s suit seeks declaratory reliefs, which cannot be granted merely by admission.
The Tanko Inuwa (SAN)-led legal team argued that the party must prove its case, even with the admissions presented.
They further asserted that, due to the party’s failure to adhere to the legal requirements in holding its national convention, it no longer has a valid leadership with which INEC can engage.
The team, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit.
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