Former Labour Party candidates, under the aegis of the Labour Party Candidates Forum (LPCF), have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with court judgments on the leadership dispute within the party.
At a press conference in Abuja, the forum’s chairman and 2023 Kogi State governorship candidate, Barr. Okeme Adejoh, urged INEC to respect the decisions of the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court, which, according to him, declared that the tenure of Mr. Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman had expired.
Adejoh cited the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, and the Federal High Court ruling of August 15, 2025, both of which, he said, affirmed that Abure’s tenure had lapsed.
He expressed concern that despite these rulings, “INEC and Abure continue to act in contempt of the courts.”
“Court judgments are meant to be obeyed by all parties involved. Any disobedience undermines the integrity of our justice system and the rule of law,” Adejoh stated.
The forum also faulted Abure’s participation in INEC’s quarterly meeting with political parties, describing it as a violation of existing court decisions. Adejoh urged INEC to update its records in line with the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decision, which recognizes Senator Nenadi Usman as interim national chairman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as national secretary.
In his remarks, the forum’s secretary and 2023 Ebonyi State governorship candidate, Comrade Splendour Oko Eze, emphasized that the Supreme Court’s judgment on Abure’s tenure is final and binding, and must be fully implemented.
He appealed to the newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to ensure compliance with the court’s ruling, noting that, as a lawyer, he should lead by example in upholding the rule of law.
“Nigeria can only progress when the laws of the land are obeyed,” Eze added.
Also speaking, the immediate past National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, Comrade Eragbe Anslem, explained that the Supreme Court’s April 4 judgment had effectively dismissed earlier lower court decisions that recognized Abure as national chairman.
He stressed that the apex court’s ruling remains final and conclusive and should be respected by all parties.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, rule of law, and judicial integrity, pledging to continue advocating for transparency and due process within the party’s leadership structure.
