Abure Refutes Usman’s Labour Party Deregistration Claim

Labour Party Leadership Crisis: Abure Refutes Usman’s INEC Deregistration Claims

The leadership tussle within the Labour Party (LP) continues to deepen, with Julius Abure, the party’s National Chairman, strongly refuting claims by Senator Nenadi Usman over an alleged risk of deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Usman, who was appointed as the Interim National Chairperson by a faction of party stakeholders, had previously stated that her committee’s intervention saved the Labour Party from being deregistered. Abure, however, has countered these claims, emphasizing that there is no threat of deregistration.

Speaking through the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, Abure described the deregistration claim as baseless and unsubstantiated. He clarified that the Labour Party is in full compliance with the country’s laws and cannot be deregistered by INEC. He added that Usman’s assertion was merely an attempt to mislead party members and the public.

Further addressing the Labour Party deregistration claim, Abure criticized the supposed stakeholder meeting held in Umuahia, which produced Usman as its leader. He stressed that the meeting was unconstitutional and had no legal standing within the framework of the Labour Party’s constitution. According to Abure, the faction led by Usman is delusional in its belief that it can challenge the established leadership of the party, which remains firmly in place.

Abure also took the opportunity to remind Usman and her faction that both the Appeal Courts in Edo State and the FCT have affirmed his leadership of the Labour Party. In addition, the Federal High Court in Abuja validated the March 2024 national convention, confirming that the party acted in accordance with the 2022 Electoral Act and its constitution.

In closing, Abure urged Usman to stop fueling division within the party and instead focus on unity ahead of the 2027 elections. He warned that factionalizing the party could jeopardize its future and advised Usman to seek proper legal counsel to avoid further missteps.