The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has asked Julius Abure to stop parading himself as the Labour Party (LP)’s National Chairman, insisting that his tenure effectively ended in June 2024.

Stressing that Abure is clearly wearing borrowed robes, the Commission said the binding judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on April 4, 2025 makes it imperative to officially withdraw his recognition as the Party’s Chairman.

With this latest stand by INEC as contained in its sworn counter affidavit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the leadership crisis rocking the party may have been effectively resolved.

The Commission, in the Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025, stated that Abure’s tenure ended in June 2024, in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025, which dismissed Abure’s claims for lack of jurisdiction and nullified all earlier rulings that affirmed his leadership.

The counter affidavit, deposed to by Ayuba Mohammed, INEC’s Executive Officer (Litigation and Prosecution), stated: “The defendant (INEC) cannot accept and issue access codes for the upload of candidates’ nomination forms (EC9, EC9F, and EC9G) for the by-election scheduled for 16/8/2025 to the plaintiff (Abure-led LP), as there were no valid National Chairman and National Secretary for the defendant to deal with, as provided in Exhibit INEC 2.”

Also addressing issues surrounding the contentious National Convention, where Abure claimed to have been re-elected at Nnewi on March 27, 2024, INEC maintained it did not monitor or recognize the event.

According to the Electoral umpire, the purported Convention contravened the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s regulations, and the Labour Party’s constitution.

Already, political observers and LP’s stakeholders are of the opinion that INEC’s affirmation under oath may have dealt the final blow on Abure and his group in the quest to maintain their stranglehold on the Party’s leadership.

Insiders confirmed that INEC’s firm stance should conclusively resolve the leadership crisis that has threatened the Party’s unity and credibility since the middle of 2024

Meanwhile, Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has described as timely and a welcome development the court’s ruling and INEC’s clarity on the matter.

Senator Nenadi, who reacted to the latest development in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, said: “I received with profound relief and deep satisfaction the news of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which dismissed in its entirety the case instituted by Mr. Julius Abure against INEC.”

She said the ruling represents a strong affirmation of the rule of law and commended INEC for the clarity and institutional integrity demonstrated in its sworn affidavit.

The former Minister of Finance said, “INEC categorically confirmed that the tenure of Mr. Abure and the entire National Executive Committee expired in June 2024. The Commission also affirmed it did not recognize the purported Nnewi convention of March 27, 2024.”

While urging all Party members to put the crisis behind them and focus on rebuilding the party, Senator Nenadi said, “With this judgment and INEC’s clear position, it is time for all members to recommit to the urgent task of repositioning our party into the credible, disciplined, and people-centred movement that Nigerians deserve.”

She further assured that under her interim leadership, the Party will uphold its constitution and ensure internal democracy in its activities.

In her reaction, former LP’s National Treasurer, Mrs Oluchi Opara, expressed happiness that INEC’s deposition has “removed any lingering doubt” over Abure’s leadership claims.

She said, “This is a fresh, unequivocal statement under oath by the electoral umpire that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman. It aligns perfectly with the Supreme Court judgment. Nigerians should ignore any contrary propaganda.”

Accusing Abure and his group of clinging to power through “publicity stunts”, Mrs Okpara charged party members to uphold the rule of law, saying; “The law is clear: his tenure expired in June 2024, the Nnewi Convention was invalid, and the Supreme Court has spoken.

“This counter affidavit is yet another nail in the coffin of these desperate claims.”