LP sets up three-member committee to mend ties with NASS lawmakers
In a bid to foster unity and strengthen its relationship with members of the National Assembly, the Labour Party has inaugurated a three-member Intervention and Truce Committee. This was disclosed in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh on Tuesday. The committee, chaired by Ben Etanabene, with Mathew Nworgu and Chinedu Obika as members was tasked with addressing existing challenges between the party leadership and its lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly. Inaugurating the committee at the Labour Party’s National Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, emphasised the need for cohesion. READ ALSO: Plateau Rep member, Chollom dumps Labour Party for APC He urged the lawmakers to work towards harmonizing the party’s position with that of its representatives in the legislature. “We have entrusted you with this crucial assignment of bringing together all our members in the National Assembly—both in the Senate and the House of Representatives—to bridge gaps and resolve any issues that may have arisen,” Abure stated. The party leader stressed the importance of unity among its approximately 40 lawmakers, describing them as ambassadors of the party. While commending some members for their dedication, he acknowledged areas needing improvement and underscored the urgency of the committee’s mandate. “We expect that within two weeks, you will complete this assignment and report back to the party leadership. “We assure you that the party is committed to achieving lasting harmony, particularly with key stakeholders like the National Assembly caucus,” he added. In their response, the committee members pledged their loyalty to the party and assured its leadership of their commitment to carrying out the assignment with diligence. READ ALSO: PDP forum predicts return of defectors, says party remains strong The party has faced internal tensions in recent months, and this latest move signals a concerted effort to solidify party unity ahead of future political engagements.
Court of Appeal affirms Abure as LP Chairman
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reaffirmed that Julius Abure is the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Hamma Barka, declared that its previous ruling on November 13, 2024, which recognized Abure’s position as the national chairman, stands and has not been overturned by any other court. Justice Barka delivered this ruling while resolving two separate appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the Labour Party caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In both appeals, the appellate court clarified that it did not address the issue of Labour Party leadership, as such matters are not subject to judicial review. READ ALSO: Five Reps members dump Labour Party for APC The court further explained that any action taken outside the court’s jurisdiction is void, and therefore, the Federal High Court’s ruling on October 8, 2024, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, holds no legal effect, as it was issued without jurisdiction. In dismissing the suit due to lack of jurisdiction, the appellate court reaffirmed its November 13, 2024, judgment, confirming that “Abure remains National Chairman of the Labour Party.” Background of Abure and Labour Party legal battle In February 2023, Oluchi Oparah, the party’s national treasurer, accused Abure of misappropriating N3.5 billion, a claim the LP chairman denied while threatening legal action. The allegation led to calls from party members for Abure’s removal. In April 2023, the FCT high court issued an order restraining Abure from parading himself as the national chairman of the LP. While ruling on an ex parte application, Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, also restrained Farouk Ibrahim, national secretary; Clement Ojukwu, national organising secretary; and Opara; from parading themselves as national officers of the party. On September 4, Usman, a former senator representing Kaduna south, was appointed to chair a 29-member caretaker committee after Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, convened a stakeholders meeting of the party in Umuahia. Peter Obi, LP’s presidential candidate in 2023, and Datti Baba-Ahmed, the running mate, were among the top party members that attended the meeting. INEC had also invalidated Abure’s leadership, saying the national convention violated the constitution and Electoral Act. The electoral body said the party failed to meet legal requirements for holding the convention, insisting that Abure’s tenure as LP national chair expired in June 2024. But in a judgment on October 8, the federal high court affirmed the Abure-led leadership and the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced the party executives. Nwite ordered INEC to recognise Abure as the legitimate chairman of the party.
