Usman-led Labour Party Refutes Abure’s Claim To Leadership

The Labour Party led by former minister of Finance, Esther Nenadi-Usman, has denied a claim to the party leadership made by Barr Julius Abure, describing it as false and misleading.

The faction’s national secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, in a  statement yesterday, said Abure’s claims were a desperate attempt to destabilise the party and disrupt democratic governance.

“The Labour Party has been made aware of a false and misleading publication purportedly authored by a group of former Labour Party members led by one Mr. Julius Abure,” Nwokocha said.

The faction said INEC had reaffirmed the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, which affirmed Senator Nenadi-Usman and Senator Nwokocha as the national chairman and national secretary of the Labour Party, respectively.

“INEC is Nigeria’s critical democratic institution and the sole constitutional regulator of political parties, has categorically cautioned Mr. Abure and his co-travellers to desist from parading themselves as representatives of the Labour Party,” he added.

He further accused Abure of attempting to sell party tickets.

“It is laughable for Mr. Abure to claim that he ‘gave’ Senator Nwokocha a ticket in the 2023 elections when, in reality, after Senator Nwokocha emerged victorious at the party primaries, Mr. Abure attempted to sell the senatorial ticket to a bidder who was not even a member of the Labour Party,” he added.

The spokesman also accused Abure of instituting over 20 court cases against INEC and the Labour Party leadership, representing a blatant abuse of court processes.

He stressed that the conduct represents a desperate attempt to plunge the Labour Party into a deeper crisis and roll back democratic gains.

Nwokocha further said INEC had stated that Abure’s tenure as national chairman had expired, and he was no longer recognized as the leader of the Labour Party.

Emphasising the Apex Court unequivocally held that the tenure of  Barr. Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired.

“We call on the Prosecutor-General of the Federation to expedite action on recommendations for Abure’s prosecution for alleged offences. The Labour Party is not for sale. Mr. Abure and his associates should seek legitimate means of livelihood rather than attempting to commercialize political structures.

“The party remains committed to building a Nigeria founded on justice, equity, and good governance, under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, Senator Nenadi Usman, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha,” he stated.

He urged members, especially youths and women to participate in the ongoing registration and congresses, as well as aspirants preparing for the 2027 elections, to remain steadfast, stressing that the future of a new Nigeria lies firmly on collective resolve.