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Tag: LP

  • Supreme Court judgment validates Abure’s leadership – LP Legal Adviser

    Supreme Court judgment validates Abure’s leadership – LP Legal Adviser

    The Labour Party Legal Adviser, Mr Kehinde Edun, says the Supreme Court judgment has further validated Mr Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the party.

    Edun stated this on the sidelines of a news conference organised by the leadership of the party to clarify issues arising from the Supreme Court judgment on Friday in Abuja.

    “What happened was that Sen. Nenadi Usman and one other person filed an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

    “The argument was that courts should not be interfering in the internal affairs of political parties. That it is not the business of the court to say this is the chairman or this is not the chairman.

    “The Supreme Court agreed with them and said that everybody should respect party supremacy;
    that whatever the party has said is final, and that nobody should come to court to seek the declaration concerning the leadership of the political party.

    “The convention held and elected the National Executive Committee led by Barr. Julius Abure, whose tenure is still holding, and that’s what the court said, that everybody should respect that,” he said.

    The legal Adviser said that the judgment was indeed an indictment on the Usman-led caretaker committee.

    While commending the judgment, Edun said that it meant that political parties are strong, adding: “with the verdict, the Supreme Court is supporting the country’s democracy.

    “What it means is that political parties should sort out their affairs internally. They shouldn’t be running to the court to solve matters that they can solve on their own,” he said.

    The legal adviser, therefore, called on all dissenting voices within Labour Party to come together to move the party forward and prepare it for the 2027 general elections.

  • Abure’s sack elixir for LP’s stability, reinvention – Reps caucus

    Abure’s sack elixir for LP’s stability, reinvention – Reps caucus

    The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives has lauded the Supreme Court’s judgment sacking Mr Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman.

    The caucus, in a statement on Friday by its Chairman, Rep. Afam Ogene (LP-Anambra), described the ruling as an elixir for the party’s stability and reinvention.

    Ogene commended the apex court for the decisive judgment, saying that it had offered the party a new lease of life.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Supreme Court, on Friday, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which recognised Abure as Labour Party national chairman.

    Ogene said that the party’s leadership crisis could have been prevented if the ousted chairman and his team had heeded the caucus’ advice or addressed the concerns of other stakeholders.

    He said that the resultant uncertainty had made the caucus lose some members for not being sure of getting the party’s ticket in the 2027 general elections.

    The lawmaker said that efforts should now be made to implement necessary mechanisms to restore internal peace and get the party back on track.

    According to him, this is in order to reassure the teeming members of the party’s viability for future elections and its commitment to leadership that prioritises the interests and welfare of the people.

    “It is a veritable tonic for the revitalisation of the party that has been engulfed by leadership tussle in recent times.

    “In fact, by next week, we expect the National Caretaker Committee (NCC), led by respected former Minister of Finance, Sen. Esther Usman, to convene an all-inclusive stakeholders’ meeting to chart the way forward.

  • LP Supreme Court verdict: It’s no victor, no vanquished – Sen Nenadi

    LP Supreme Court verdict: It’s no victor, no vanquished – Sen Nenadi

    Caretaker Committee Chairman of Labour Party Senator Nenadi E. Usman has said today’s Supreme Court verdict reflects no victor no vanguished in the annals of the party.

    She made this disclosure via a statement she personally signed saying:

    “The recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which allowed the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman—declaring it meritorious—while dismissing the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party as unmeritorious, is a victory for the rule of law and a significant milestone for our democracy.

    “It is important to emphasize that this is not a time for triumphalism—there is no victor and no vanquished. What matters most is our shared commitment to the ideals and aspirations of the Labour Party and the Nigerian people. We must now come together, united in purpose and vision, to move the party forward.

    “The Labour Party remains one indivisible family, steadfast in its mission to create a New Nigeria founded on justice, equity, and people-centred governance.

    “We call on all party members, supporters, and stakeholders to remain calm, focused, and committed to the democratic ideals that bind us.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies judgment recognising Abure as LP chairman

    BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies judgment recognising Abure as LP chairman

    The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

    In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.

    It held that issue of leadership was internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction and noted that Abure’s tenure had since expired.

    The court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Nenadi Usman and one other and held that it was meritorious.

    It proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP for being unmeritorious.(NAN)

    Details shortly.

  • 2027: I’m part of the coalition but not desperate to be president – Obi

    2027: I’m part of the coalition but not desperate to be president – Obi

    The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has said he is not desperate to become the president of Nigeria.

    On vying again for the presidency in 2027, Obi said his concern in discussing an alliance with other political forces is to save Nigeria from the brink.

    He disclosed this in a recent interview on Arise News that he is not ready to wrest power to become president but to join forces to realise a Nigeria that works.

    He said: “I am reluctant to talk about 2027. Yes, I am part of the coalition. But whatever alignment must discuss the future of the country. We must discuss doing it to invest in education not just to wrest power. We are talking about working together to save Nigeria. I am not desperate to be President but to see Nigeria work.”

    “Elections are won and lost by the votes of the people. All these things people are talking about are because we are not in a democracy. We are talking about working together for the sake of the country. That is why I am not desperate to be President, but I am desperate to see Nigeria work.

    “It was all these alliances that brought Nigeria to where we are today. Because people were blinded. Instead of seeing what they will do to make the country work and make it productive, they are focused on wrestling power. What are we going to use the power to do?

    “I ran in 2023 because I wanted to do something different. By now, you would have seen something different in education. I would have even visited schools. In the health sector, we have over 70% of primary healthcare not functional. I want Nigeria to know it is about their country. So many Nigerians today don’t know where the next meal will come from. So, the people have to know that this man can do it.

    “You talk about the devaluation of the naira; there is nothing wrong with it. I would have allowed the naira to follow, but there would be productivity.

  • Imo LP working committee members reject suspension by Chairman

    Imo LP working committee members reject suspension by Chairman

    Members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo have rejected their suspension by the party’s embattled state Chairman, Mr Callistus Ihejiagwa.

    The SWC members said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, on Sunday.

    Addressing newsmen, the party’s Legal Adviser, Mr Emeka Ihejirika, stated that “instead of addressing the serious allegations leveled against him, Ihejiagwa hastily convened a meeting of loyalists to orchestrate a distraction from the core issues at hand.”

    NAN reports that 13 members of the SWC had, last week, passed a Vote of No Confidence on Ihejiagwa, citing high-handed leadership, financial mismanagement, unconstitutional actions, and betrayal of the party.

    On Saturday, March 15, Ihejiagwa announced the suspension of the SWC members from the party.

    Ihejirika, therefore, urged Ihejiagwa to address the allegations and avoid resorting to suspending members of the SWC in an attempt to silence opposition within the party.

    ”He runs the party like a personal empire by sidelining key officials and making unilateral decisions without consultation; refusing to account for party funds and engaging in financial mismanagement.

    “LP stakeholders from Owerri Zone have condemned Ihejiagwa’s actions, describing them as an abuse of power and a threat to the integrity of the party.

    “At a zonal meeting  attended by notable leaders of our great party, the leaders expressed outrage over Ihejiagwa’s leadership style, anti-party activities, and lack of financial transparency.

    “Present at the meeting were Mr Mathew Nwogu, the Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the House of Representatives; Mr Clinton Amadi, the Member representing Owerri Municipal in the Imo State House of Assembly,” he said.

    Ihejirika said that the zone called for a thorough review of Ihejiagwa’s actions and financial dealings, stating that his leadership had become detrimental to the party’s growth in Imo State.

    They further mandated all those “ unconstitutionally removed by the chairman” to resume their rightful positions, emphasising that Ihejiagwa’s unilateral actions had no constitutional backing.

  • Appeal Court reaffirms Abure as LP National Chairman

    Appeal Court reaffirms Abure as LP National Chairman

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, reaffirmed Mr Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

    The three-member panel, in a judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, relied on its judgement earlier delivered on Nov. 13, 2024, to make the declaration.

    The.panel made the decision in two separate appeals.

    While Sen. Esther Nenadi Usman & others were the appellants in the first appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CA/1217//2024, Labour Party & others were respondents.

    In the second appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1232/2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was the appellant while LP was the respondent.

    NAN reports that the Appeal Court had, on Nov. 13, 2024 in the earlier judgment in appeal number: CA/Abj/CV/1172/2024 between Labour Party (Appellant) against Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni and INEC (respondents), held that Abure remained LP national chair.

    Justuce Barka, therefore, held that the two appeals decided today could not determine the leadership of the LP, having already been determined by the appellate court.

    He said the appeals emanated from an incompetent suit and the trial court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, lacked jurisdiction to have determined the leadership of the party on Oct. 8, 2024, ordering INEC to among others, recognise and deal with the Abure-led leadership.

    The judge, in the first appeal, held that in view of the fact that the leadership of a political party is not justiciable, the court had no jurisdiction to determine whether or not the leadership of a party is well constituted.

    He held that the issue of leadership is an internal affair of the political party, which the trial court could not determine in that case.

    Justice Barka proceeded to hold that since the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case, all what it did without jurisdiction, including its judgment, amounted to a nullity.

    He then set aside the judgment by Justice Nwite and also struck out the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024 for want of jurisdiction.

    The judge, who said that both appeals were against  the same Oct. 8, 2024 judgment by Justice Nwite, applied the judgment in the first appeal to the second one filed by INEC.

    Barka clarified that  the leadership of the LP remained as it was decided in the Nov. 13, 2024 judgment “of this court which I had the privilege of delivering on the 13th day of November, 2024, that Barrister Abure was adjudged as the National Chairman of the first respondent (LP). That judgment still stands.”

    The judge directed parties and the general public to respect the judgement of the Court of Appeal which earlier affirmed Abure as the national chairman of the LP.

  • Confusion in HoR as another LP member defects to APC

    Confusion in HoR as another LP member defects to APC

    There was confusion in the House of Representatives on Thursday during plenary, as opposition members protested the defection of another Labour Party (LP) member to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The lawmaker, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, announced his defection, prompting opposition members to demand that his seat be declared vacant.

    Tis defection, brings the total number of Labour Party members joining the ruling APC to six within a week, witnessed by former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong.

    In his letter of defection, read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the lawmaker cited internal crises in the Labour Party and his desire to align with the policies and developmental goals of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government.

    He stated, “I believe my decision to offer effective representation to my constituency can be better achieved within the APC. My defection is not for personal gain but to contribute to national development and peacebuilding.”

    Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, while not opposing the defection, remarked, “Even though there is no crisis in the LP, I don’t want to repeat myself. I wish those defecting good luck. We’ll meet again in 2027, and the end will justify the means.”

    Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, PDP , Obio/Akpor Fed Constituency, however, rejected the defection, stating: “The letter of defection should not be accepted because the lawmaker has not fulfilled constitutional provisions. He should first join the APC at his ward level before submitting his defection letter to the House and facing the consequences.”

    Chinda accused the House of accepting the defection prematurely, and said, “The House is putting the cart before the horse by accepting the letter without following constitutional procedures.”

    In response, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) defended the defection, arguing that the lawmaker had fulfilled all constitutional requirements. He added, “Section 40 of the Constitution allows anyone to form or join a political party. Out of the eight House members from Plateau State, seven are now in the APC.”

    Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) urged lawmakers to uphold the Constitution, he said, “As parliamentarians, we must show Nigerians that we respect the law by correctly applying its provisions.”

    Former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase supported the Speaker’s acceptance of the defection letter, cautioning against using inappropriate language in Parliament.

    He said, “The Speaker acted within the law in accepting the letter.”

    The session ended without resolving the dispute over the legality of the defection.

  • Just in: HoR member dumps LP for APC

    Just in: HoR member dumps LP for APC

    Bassey Akiba, the representative for Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Akiba, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, announced his defection on Friday, citing alignment with the APC’s vision and leadership as a key factor in his decision.

    Akiba expressed gratitude to his former party but emphasized that his move to the APC was driven by a desire to better serve his constituents and contribute to the nation’s development.

    The Labour Party has yet to release an official statement regarding Akiba’s defection, but insiders suggest the move may prompt a reevaluation of its strategy in the region. Advertisement

    With Akiba’s defection, the APC continues to strengthen its presence in the South-South geopolitical zone, a region traditionally dominated by opposition parties.

  • Just in: Appeal Court dumps Enugu PDP Rep, affirms Agbo of LP as authentic winner

    Just in: Appeal Court dumps Enugu PDP Rep, affirms Agbo of LP as authentic winner

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, on Wednesday, affirmed the ruling of the House of Representatives tribunal that sacked the member representing Igboeze North/Udenu federal constituency, Hon. Simon Atigwe.

    The appellate court rather returned the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Hon Dennis Nnamdi Agbo who was declared winner in the February 25th 2023 National Assembly election and sworn in but was sacked for a re-run election that took place on February 3rd 2024.

    The Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atigwe, was subsequently sworn in as the winner of the 2024 election, but Agbo’s petition to the second election tribunal filed against Atigwe was on Wednesday, consolidated by the Appeal Court and sent Atigwe packing from the House of Representatives.

    The Appeal Court in delivering the judgement said that Atigwe of the PDP wasn’t duly elected by the valid votes cast in the rerun election and declared Dennis Agbo of the Labour Party as the rightful winner of the election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared that the PDP’s candidate polled a total of 23,863 votes to defeat the Labour Party candidate who it said scored 23,226 votes.

    Agbo of the LP who had earlier won the February 25th, 2023 election but was sacked by the appellate court proceeded to the tribunal to challenge Atigwe’s declaration, arguing that the election was marred by wrong computation of result, substantial non-compliance to the electoral act among others.

    In their ruling on Wednesday, the Tribunal headed by Justice H N Kunaza said that the petition had merit and declared Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo the actual winner of Igbo Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency.

    Justice Kunaza’s panel declared invalid, null and void the 2000 votes added to the PDP candidate and restored the votes of 25th February 2023 of 14,229 for the PDP and 28,870 for the LP candidate, Rt Hon Dennis Agbo.