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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
In a direct rebuttal to claims by rival Labour Party leaders that the party crisis has been settled in favour of the Nenadi Usman faction, Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi says the battle is far from over. He insists that the Supreme Court remains the ultimate arbiter of the dispute and argues that neither court judgments nor INEC actions have extinguished the legitimacy of the Abure-led structures and candidates across the country.
Latest court judgements are in favour of Nenadi Usman faction of your party. Even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised her. Her faction has also held an elective national convention where she was consensually elected as substantive national chairman of your party. So, what backing do you have to come up with party flag bearers for the 2027 general elections?
What we are doing now is to wait for the Supreme Court, because we are very confident that the court will do the needful in this matter.
You will recall that the Supreme Court has earlier clearly stated that no court has the power to determine the leadership of any political party. It was on that basis that it set aside the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Now, the Court of Appeal is being interpreted as saying that where the tenure of political office holders has expired, they should be honourable enough to vacate their positions. But I believe that interpretation is being stretched beyond its intent, as if the court was referring to a specific individual.
I am not aware, and I have never seen anywhere in Nigeria or elsewhere, where an assumption is elevated to the status of law.
What the courts are essentially saying is that if a political office holder’s tenure has expired in line with the constitution, then such a person should step aside. That is clear.
Now, have you looked at the constitution? Is there anything like a “channel of a bully” expiring under the Constitution? A convention was conducted in 2024, and that convention was not challenged.
So, is the Supreme Court now being portrayed as being afraid of a bully, and unable to mention names, while instead referring vaguely to tenure expiration? That is the question.
The Supreme Court still has a lot to clarify, because the Supreme Court is the final authority in law.
If the Supreme Court decides to reverse itself on its earlier judgment, that is within its power. But we are confident it will not depart from its previous position.
Once that is clarified, the tension within the party structure will settle, because our group remains united and in control of the party structure.
Even in the unlikely event that things do not go our way, it would simply mean that all of us within the structure may have to consider aligning with another political arrangement.
But as it stands, let them continue to operate with the party for whatever purpose they choose…”
You couldn’t wait for the Supreme Court judgment before conducting primaries. Why not wait until everything is decided?
We followed due process across the federation. In fact, congresses were conducted at all levels, and our national convention was properly attended.
All our chairmen are authentic and recognised. They are the chairmen recognised by INEC. Perhaps the person speaking to you does not understand that INEC monitored all our congresses.
But Nenadi’s camp is saying those structures you claimed to have at the state level have joined them….?
No, if someone claims otherwise, and the list of elected House of Representatives or State Assembly or Senate members is being questioned, the issue is this: INEC has the records. Whatever was submitted is what INEC will work with. If they are not aware of something, it is a different issue entirely. Our candidates at the state level are recognised. But don’t forget that she also conducted congresses.
INEC has already made it clear that it does not recognise parallel or unauthorised state executives.
Congress cannot be conducted twice. You cannot hold a congress today and then attempt another one a few months later and expect INEC to accept both.
INEC witnessed all our congresses nationwide. The tenure of each congress is four years, not subject to arbitrary change.
So when someone comes six months later claiming another congress, INEC will not accept that.
The person speaking is simply expressing a parochial view. As far as we are concerned, all our state chairmen remain valid.
The strength of the struggle is rooted in those state structures, and they remain intact.
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But we understand that some state chairmen are not aligned with the leadership by Abure?
If there is any disagreement, perhaps you are referring to Rivers State. That is the only one I am aware of. I am not aware of any other state chairman who has not aligned. What is happening is that people are running around now because they know the reality on the ground.
Let me be clear: even our presidential candidate, Ahanotu, is based on properly submitted records. The votes and nominations came from valid state structures. So whatever is submitted at the state level is what INEC will recognise. If there is anything contrary to that, then I expect nothing to be uploaded from their side or ours until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment.
They are only running around now because they know what is coming.
You are still waiting for the Supreme Court decision. The lower courts appear to be in favour of Nenadi…
Yes, but are they truly in favour in a definitive sense? As far as we are concerned, that judgment is questionable. I was in court when those arguments were presented. There were so many issues raised. Even when the Supreme Court ruled that you cannot change a lawyer handling a matter at the appellate level, the Court of Appeal still went ahead to allow such a change.
So, in effect, no proper defence there.
They changed the lawyer handling the matter and withdrew all cases relating to the Labour Party, leaving only Abure’s case standing. So you can understand the game being played.
If the Supreme Court has already stated that a lawyer handling a matter at a higher court cannot be changed, then how did that happen? That is the question.
So what do you think will happen next?
I believe the Supreme Court will do justice in this matter. And if the Supreme Court decides otherwise, then that becomes the law of the land. We will all have to accept it.
But we must be careful because if the Supreme Court decision is later interpreted differently, it may create confusion. People may begin to claim that previous judgments are no longer valid.
So let us wait and see.
What if the Supreme Court validates decisions of lower courts in favour of Nenadi?
Even if the Supreme Court does not rule in our favour, Nenadi cannot just impose candidates we did not submit at the state level. INEC will not accept such candidates unless we agree to work with them.
Otherwise, INEC has no basis to approve them because they did not emerge from legitimate state structures.
Some political enthusiasts are saying the crisis in the Labour Party is actually benefiting the APC and that some leaders are working for the APC. What do you say to that?
Fantastic. So you see it now, you are beginning to understand.
That is the narrative people are pushing. But eventually, the truth will be clear. Those who are truly behind the crisis in the Labour Party will eventually be exposed. Everything will eventually turn against them.
How popular are your candidates especially the presidential flag bearer? Some argued that he cannot even deliver his local government…
That is their assumption.
What we are saying is that this movement is not just about youth for the sake of youth. The youth are demanding leadership, and we are presenting a young, vibrant candidate, someone without controversy, without hidden issues, well-educated, experienced, and professionally grounded.
He has travelled widely both to the West and to the East. He understands governance and politics.
Unlike others who are driven by money or political machinery, he represents a fresh alternative.
He is young, under 40, and prepared for leadership. So, if the Nigerian youths are ready to change the narrative, we have helped them by coming up with our National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu.
