INEC Snubs Labour Party’s Julius Abure Over Leadership Crisis

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from Barrister Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), as the party’s leadership crisis continues to unfold.

Despite holding an emergency meeting with the national chairmen and secretaries of registered political parties, INEC notably did not extend an invitation to Abure or any LP representatives. This meeting was crucial as it aimed to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo states, scheduled for September 21 and November 11, respectively.

The exclusion of Abure from the meeting mirrors a similar situation on August 14, when he was barred from attending the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security’s (ICCES) quarterly meeting. These actions underscore INEC’s stance of not engaging with the LP leadership until the internal conflict is resolved.

The ongoing leadership tussle has also led INEC to distance itself from the LP Convention held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, Anambra State, where Abure was re-elected as the party’s National Chairman. In a letter dated July 18, INEC clarified that it did not monitor the convention and therefore could not provide a report on it.

Amidst this turmoil, efforts to resolve the party’s internal strife are being led by Abia State Governor Alex Otti, the sole governor from the party, and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. A special meeting has been scheduled in Umuahia next Wednesday to address the crisis.

Labour Party Suspends Ojo Reps Member

In a related development, the Labour Party’s Ojo Local Government chapter in Lagos State has suspended Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, the House of Representatives member representing Ojo Federal Constituency. The suspension, detailed in a letter dated August 27, accuses Sowunmi of gross insubordination and refusing to cooperate with the party’s leadership.

Sowunmi, who has been critical of the Dayo Ekong-led Lagos State executive, remains defiant, describing the current leadership as impostors following the expiration of their tenure. The party, however, has cited Sowunmi’s failure to appear before a disciplinary committee and his legal actions against the party as grounds for his suspension.