The faction of the Labour Party loyal to Julius Abure has declared that he remains the party’s National Chairman and will continue in office until 2028, dismissing claims that his tenure has ended.
The clarification was made on Tuesday through a statement issued by his media aide, Aju Elumelu-James, amid ongoing disputes over the party’s leadership.
The group said the statement became necessary following growing public debate and differing claims about who leads the party.
It explained that although issues concerning the leadership are before the Court of Appeal, this does not change what it described as the constitutional position of the party regarding Abure’s tenure.
According to the faction, the leadership process began after the death of former National Chairman Abdulkadir Abdulsalam in December 2020. Following his death, Deputy National Chairman Maria Lebeke stepped in as acting chairman.
A National Executive Council meeting was later held in March 2021, where Julius Abure was elected to complete the late chairman’s tenure.
The party stated that before the expiration of that term in June 2023, a NEC meeting in Asaba approved a one-year extension of the leadership.
It further explained that before the extended tenure ended in June 2024, a national convention took place in March 2024 in Nnewi, where Abure and other members of the current leadership were elected. Based on that convention, the faction maintained that his tenure runs until 2028.
The group also addressed interpretations of a Supreme Court ruling, saying the court did not decide on the validity of the party’s convention or its leadership structure.
It said the apex court only ruled that disputes over party leadership fall within the internal affairs of political parties and are not matters for judicial interference.
The Abure-led faction urged party members and the public to rely on what it described as constitutional procedures within the party.
It stated that decisions on leadership can only be taken by recognised organs such as the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council and the National Convention.
The statement comes at a time of tension within the party. In January, a Federal High Court removed Abure as chairman and recognised a caretaker committee headed by Senator Nenadi Usman.
There were also recent claims by the Usman-led group that Abure’s supporters invaded the party’s national secretariat.
Despite these developments, the Abure faction maintained that he remains the legitimate chairman of the Labour Party and will continue in that role until the end of his tenure in 2028.