Title: Court of Appeal Sacks Abure, Recognizes Apapa as Labour Party National Chairman
Date: [Date]
In a recent development, the Court of Appeal in Owerri, Imo State, has sacked Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). The court further recognized Lamido Apapa as the legitimate National Chairman of the party. This decision has far-reaching implications for the LP, particularly in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states.
Under the court’s ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been directed to immediately recognize and publish the names of all governorship candidates produced by the Apapa-led National Working Committee in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states. This action supports the consolidation of the Apapa-led faction’s authority within the party.
Furthermore, the court also dismissed the governorship candidature of Senator Athan Achonu of Imo State, as well as others affiliated with the Abure-led LP faction. This ruling clarifies the leadership structure within the party and solidifies the legitimacy of the Apapa faction’s decisions.
Earlier in April, Apapa had declared that his suspension as a member of the party was invalid, asserting his position as the ‘legitimate acting chairman.’ However, the recent court ruling has now confirmed his status as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
It is important to note that this is not the first time the leadership of the LP has been contested in court. In August, a Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City affirmed Abure as the National Chairman of the party. However, this decision has now been overturned by the Court of Appeal in Owerri.
Prior to these legal battles, a State High Court in Edo had already dismissed the notice of suspension issued against Abure by some party members at the ward level. The judge, Justice Emmanuel Aihamoje, had deemed the case to be lacking in merit.
The recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Owerri is expected to provide some clarity and stability to the Labour Party’s leadership structure. However, it remains to be seen how the LP will navigate these divisions ahead of the upcoming elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states.
As political dynamics continue to evolve, the Labour Party will undoubtedly grapple with the implications of this ruling and the potential for further changes within the party’s hierarchy.
