From Sola Ojo, Abuja
In a dramatic twist that further deepens the leadership crisis within the Labour Party, one of the parties directly involved in the crisis, Senator Nenadi Usman has refuted Barrister Julius Abure claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed his leadership.
After the Supreme Court judgement a few weeks ago, both parties were said to be awaiting the interpretation of the judgement by the INEC.
While Abure was saying INEC has recognized his leadership position, the electoral umpire has came out publicly to distance itself from Abure’s claims that it has reinstated him as the party’s National Chairman.
Responding swiftly, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, who is now claiming to be the Acting National Chairman of the party on Friday issued a scathing statement condemning Abure’s actions as desperate, illegitimate, and a gross insult to the intelligence of Nigerians.
“Mr. Julius Abure is the former National Chairman of the Labour Party.
“His tenure and legitimacy have long since expired, and no amount of manipulation, media propaganda, or unauthorized press briefings can resurrect a dead mandate”, Usman argued.
She further accused Abure and his loyalists of peddling fake news and attempting to hijack the party for personal gain, insisting that the Labour Party is not a “personal enterprise” but a platform of democratic ideals.
“It is laughable and insulting that Mr. Abure and his clique continue to parade themselves as leaders without legal standing, moral credibility, or institutional backing.
“The Labour Party belongs to the people, not a cabal”, she added.
She emphasized that the party stands for integrity, transparency, and the rule of law, not brigandage or backdoor power grabs.