Obi vs Abure: INEC studies Supreme Court judgment

The Independent National Electoral Commission has not yet made a decision regarding the leadership of the Labour Party following a recent Supreme Court ruling.

Multiple sources in the commission confirmed to The PUNCH on Thursday that the commission was still reviewing the court’s judgment.

“No decision has been made yet on the Supreme Court judgment of the Labour Party,” an official said anonymously for lack of authorisation to speak to the press.

Another official said a decision would only be taken after INEC had studied the Certified True Copy of the jugdment.

“The commission needs to obtain a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement, study it carefully to determine what the court intended, before arriving at an informed decision,” the official said.

The Supreme Court had on April 4, 2025 overturned an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal that had recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the party.

The apex court held that the appeal court lacked jurisdiction over internal party matters.

But the apex court verdict was subjected to different interpretations, with Abure contending that the Supreme Court did not remove him from office, while the LP Caretaker Committee, led by Nenadi Usman, argued that Abure had been sacked.

At the same time a factional leader of the party, Lamidi Apapa, surfaced to lay claim to the party’s leadership.

In a move to clarify the leadership situation, an LP delegation led by Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, visited INEC headquarters in Abuja on April 9.

During the visit, Otti submitted a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment to the electoral body.

The visit aimed to provide clarity on the party’s leadership and ensure effective communication with INEC.

The delegation was received by the INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, and other senior officials of the commission.

Discussions during the meeting also covered ways to strengthen collaboration between INEC and the Labour Party, with an emphasis on upholding democratic values.

Olumekun reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in carrying out its responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Abure, on Thursday, insisted he remained the authentic LP National Chairman.

PUNCH.