The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has upheld Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
The decision comes amidst a fierce factional dispute within the party, with conflicting claims to leadership.
The case, numbered CA/B/93/2023, was initiated by Mr. Lucky Shaibu, a member of the Labour Party Executive in Ward 3 in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Shaibu had reportedly sought the suspension of Julius Abure and five others.
However, in a unanimous decision, Justices Abadua, Fatima Akinbami, and Sybil O. Nwaka-Gbagi dismissed the case, affirming Abure’s position.
READ ALSO: Tragedy: Nigerian Air Force Helicopter Crashes in Niger State
Justice Abadua, delivering the lead judgment, emphasized that one individual cannot unilaterally suspend the national chairman of the Labour Party, citing the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act of 2022 as guiding principles.
Abure’s Reaction
Julius Abure, in a response, expressed his gratitude to those who supported him and celebrated the court’s recognition of the validity of his leadership.
He also made reference to an “Obidient movement” and Mr. Peter Obi, suggesting they stood by him during this dispute.
Abure further criticized his opposition, including an alleged impostor, Mr. Lamidi Apapa, who he claimed attempted to compromise the party’s mandate.
Prest Aigbokhan, Abure’s lead counsel, hailed the verdict as a landmark judgment that would endure over time.
“It is a landmark judgment that will stand the test of time. Anybody still associating with impostors parading themselves as factional leaders of the party does so at their own peril. Political parties must remain watchdog of national conscience,” he said.
Apapa Kicks
Despite the Court of Appeal’s decision, the faction led by Lamidi Apapa has contested the outcome.
Abayomi Arabambi, the spokesman for the Apapa faction, asserted that the court had solely ruled on Abure’s suspension and failed to acknowledge their concerns.
Arabambi also referenced a restraining order issued by the Abuja High Court that, according to them, recognizes Apapa as the acting national chairman.
