From Abel Leonard, Lafia

The Nasarawa State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, commending his leadership and hailing the recent Court of Appeal judgment that validated his position.

In a press statement issued on Saturday in Lafia, the State Chairman of the party, Alexander Ombugu, congratulated Abure and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party on the victory. The court, sitting in Abuja, affirmed the March 2024 Nnewi national convention and mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Abure’s leadership.

The judgment, delivered on January 17, 2025, by Honourable Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, relied on an earlier ruling from November 13, 2024, in Appeal Number CA/Abj/CV/1172/2024. The case involved the Labour Party (appellant), Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, and INEC (respondents).

Ombugu described the court’s decision as a testament to the strength of Nigeria’s legal system and the Labour Party’s commitment to democratic principles. He praised Justice Barka for compelling INEC to validate Abure’s leadership.

The statement read, in part:

“On behalf of the executives, members, and supporters of the Labour Party in Nasarawa State, I wish to congratulate our National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the entire National Executive Council (NEC) of our great party for the victory at the Appeal Court. The court has reaffirmed Barr. Abure’s leadership, and we are grateful to the judiciary for upholding the rule of law and its integrity. The Labour Party will remain united and focused on promoting the welfare of the Nigerian people.”

The court, Ombugu said, also directed all parties involved to respect its judgment affirming Abure as the National Chairman.

Calling for unity within the party, Ombugu appealed to aggrieved members to set aside their differences for the greater good of the party.

“It is our collective responsibility to take the Labour Party to greater heights,” he said. “I call on all aggrieved members and intending members to join hands with the Abure-led administration as we prepare to rescue Nigeria during the 2027 general election.”

Ombugu emphasized the importance of unity in building a formidable party capable of achieving its objectives in the next general election.