Address by Barrister Julius Abure, National Chairman of the Labour Party, to the National Executive Council (NEC) – April 7, 2025
Distinguished Members of the National Executive Committee, Esteemed Party Leaders, and Fellow Nigerians,
I welcome you all to this critical session of our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of our Party. Recent developments within our party, particularly in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s pronouncement on the leadership matter, have necessitated this gathering. It is imperative that we, as the stewards of the Labour Party, offer clarity and reaffirm our collective resolve to uphold the sanctity of our constitution, the unity of our structures, and the integrity of our leadership.
Let me begin by extending our profound appreciation to the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its courageous and principled stance in affirming the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs. In its judgement concerning the Labour Party, the apex court unequivocally reasserted that leadership disputes arising within a political party remain within the exclusive purview of the party’s constitution and governance structures. Accordingly, the Court declined jurisdiction in the appeal brought by Senator Nenadi Usman, thereby reinforcing the foundational principle of party autonomy.
This judgment is not merely a legal victory for the Labour Party, it is a significant affirmation of democratic tenets and a milestone for institutional development in Nigeria’s political landscape.
It[b] is, however, regrettable that certain actors, most notably Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha, have chosen to misrepresent the ruling, deliberately misleading the public and attempting to manufacture confusion through a purported “Caretaker Committee.” Let it be stated categorically: this so-called committee is both unconstitutional and illegitimate. Those who convened the meeting in Umuahia lacked the legal authority to do so. Neither holds the office of National Chairman nor National Secretary as required by our party’s constitution.[/b]
Permit me to provide an unambiguous account of the current status of our leadership.
The Labour Party held a valid National Convention in 2019, whose tenure was constitutionally due to end in June 2023. In response to the extraordinary demands of the 2023 general elections, our NEC, meeting in Asaba in April of that year, authorized a one-year extension, pushing the end of tenure to June 9, 2024. In line with this resolution and the constitution of our party, a fresh National Convention was duly convened and held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, Anambra State. All procedures relating to that Convention were properly executed, and multiple court rulings have validated the legitimacy of the convention.
Furthermore, our Constitution, specifically Articles 12 and 14 of the amended 2024 edition, clearly outlines the structure and authority of the party’s organs. Article 14 vests the power to issue notices for meetings of the National Convention, the NEC, and the National Working Committee (NWC) in the National Secretary, but only with the consultation and approval of the National Chairman. All proper procedures were followed in the convening of the March 2024 Convention, and the actions taken were both constitutional and widely endorsed.
Let it be known across the federation and beyond: there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The National Working Committee, under my chairmanship, remains the recognized and legitimate leadership body of our party. We shall not cede ground to illegitimate actors or unconstitutional contraptions posing as transition committees.
As regards the supreme court judgment, I wish to specifically states as follows:
a)The court asserted the supremacy of the party over its internal affairs and that leadership of a political party is not for any court to decide as it is a no go area for the court and so the court DID NOT sack the NWC under my leadership.
On a related note, I extend our full support and solidarity to our candidate in Anambra State, Chief George Moghalu. Emerging from a transparent and credible primary election, Chief Moghalu represents the values and vision of the Labour Party. We are confident in his capacity, and we shall campaign vigorously alongside him throughout the length and breadth of Anambra to secure victory.
Finally, to all institutions, agencies, and citizens who may have received misleading narratives about the Labour Party, we urge you to rely on the facts as presented herein. Once the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment is released, we shall make it publicly available for complete transparency.
Let us move forward with unity and renewed commitment.
Thank you, and may God bless you all.
Signed,
Barrister. Julius Abure
National Chairman
Labour Party
April 7, 2025
