Abure-led Labour Party State Chairmen Warn INEC Against Fresh Congresses

The Forum of Duly Elected State Chairmen of the Labour Party, under the leadership of Bar. Julius Abure, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning against any plan to monitor or recognise fresh state congresses by a faction of the party.

The forum described the move as attempted institutional sabotage lacking legal or constitutional foundation.

In a communiqué signed by the Secretary of the forum, Abdurrahim Imam Chindo, the group said it had written a letter addressed to the INEC Chairman and copied to key national and international stakeholders, insisting that valid state congresses were already conducted and monitored by INEC on December 6, 2025, across the federation.

They noted that statutory notice was issued in line with Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and that the outcomes remain part of INEC’s official records, emphasising that they are products of a completed statutory process recognised by law.

He stressed that their mandate is rooted in law, not convenience, and cannot be replaced by administrative fiat in violation of the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines, and the party’s constitution.

The forum recalled that on February 16, 2026, INEC rejected a request by Sen. Nenadi Usman to recognise the purported dissolution of duly elected party structures. It added that INEC ruled the action was taken without statutory notice and constitutional authority, a position the chairmen said remains unchallenged and unremedied to date.

According to the communiqué, any attempt to monitor fresh congresses while valid, INEC-monitored congresses subsist would amount to duplication of leadership, destabilisation of party organisation, and erosion of public confidence in electoral regulation.

The forum argued that only a court of competent jurisdiction can nullify congresses duly monitored by INEC.

They warned that if INEC recognises parallel congresses, it would contradict its own records and signal that lawful processes can be discarded.

“Today it is the Labour Party; tomorrow it could be any party. The national leadership dispute is presently before the Court of Appeal, with INEC as a party.

“Therefore, we urge INEC to decline any request to monitor fresh congresses, preserve the status quo pending judicial determination, and uphold the Constitution and Electoral Act.

“The December 2, 4, and 6, 2025 congresses remain valid, and any parallel exercise would be invalid and vigorously challenged,” they stated.

While affirming commitment to the rule of law, internal democracy, and peaceful engagement, the forum said it will not hesitate to take all lawful steps to defend the integrity of the democratic process.

The communiqué was copied to the President, National Assembly leaders, security agencies, IPAC, the UN, and foreign missions in Nigeria.