High profile leaders and members of the opposition Labour Party (LP), on Wednesday, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, demanding the recognition of Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s interim national chairman.
Led by the 2023 presidential candidate of LP, Peter Obi, and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, the party’s members were received by INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun.
LEADERSHIP reports that the visit to INEC headquarters was a follow-up to a meeting earlier held in Abuja by the group.
They urged the electoral umpire to recognise Usman as the LP national chairperson, following the recent Supreme Court verdict that set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the party.
The apex court had last week in a unanimous judgement delivered by a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP, having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
The court allowed the appeal filed by Usman, and one other and held that it was meritorious and subsequently proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP for being unmeritorious.
Confirming the development on its X (Twitter) handle, the commission said: “A high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP), led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to discuss key developments within the party.
“During the visit, Governor Otti formally presented a Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgement concerning the party’s leadership. He noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the LP’s current structure.
“The delegation was received by INEC’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, and other National Commissioners. Both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values.
“Mr. Olumekun reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.”
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