By AJU Elumelu-James
In recent months, a flurry of conflicting narratives has flooded the public space regarding the leadership of the Labour Party, particularly concerning the tenure of Barrister Julius Abure as National Chairman. Various individuals and groups have advanced differing interpretations, many of them politically motivated and seeking to create uncertainty about the legitimacy and duration of his tenure.
While the matter of party leadership is presently before the Court of Appeal, it has become necessary to separate legal proceedings from misinformation. The ongoing judicial process does not justify the distortion of verifiable constitutional facts. Regardless of pending litigation, the timeline of events surrounding Barrister Julius Abure’s emergence as Chairman and the validity of his tenure remain matters of record.
This clarification is therefore not an attempt to pre-empt the decision of the appellate court. Rather, it is intended to provide members of the party, stakeholders, and the general public with an accurate account of when and how Barrister Julius Abure assumed office, the constitutional processes that validated his leadership, and the lawful duration of his tenure.
For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of truth, transparency, and institutional integrity, we hereby restate the facts.
ABURE’S TENURE REMAINS VALID UNTIL 2028.
It is important to note that the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, passed away in December 2020. On 31 December 2020, Maria Lebeke, who was one of the Deputy National Chairmen of the party, was appointed by the National Working Committee (NWC), in accordance with the party’s constitution, to serve in an acting capacity as National Chairman.
Maria Lebeke acted in that capacity for three months. Thereafter, she convened a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, in line with the party’s constitution, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam. At that NEC meeting, Barrister Julius Abure was unanimously elected on 29 March 2021 to complete the tenure of the late chairman.
Barr. Julius Abure was expected to complete the tenure of Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, which was due to expire in June 2023. However, prior to the expiration of that tenure, a NEC meeting was held in Asaba in April 2023. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Peter Obi, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other critical stakeholders of the party. At that meeting, the NEC resolved to extend the tenure of the existing leadership by one year.
Before the expiration of that extended tenure in June 2024, a National Convention was held on 27 March 2024 in Nnewi, where the current leadership of the party was elected. Consequently, it is fallacious, misleading, and mischievous to continue to suggest that the tenure of Barr. Julius Abure has expired. In fact, following the March 2024 convention, his tenure is expected to run until 2028.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court did not delve into the issue of party leadership or the validity of the convention held in Nnewi. The Court merely held that matters concerning the leadership of a political party are internal affairs of that party and that the courts lack jurisdiction to entertain such disputes. At no time did any court set aside the Nnewi convention or declare that Barr. Julius Abure’s tenure had expired.
When we speak of the “internal affairs” of a political party, it means that only the recognized organs of the party have the authority to make decisions regarding its leadership and governance. In this case, those organs are the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Council (NEC), and the National Convention.
The National Convention spoke clearly and decisively on 27 March 2024 when it conducted its convention and elected the current leadership.
Hon. Amb. AJU Elumelu-James (Special Adviser to the National Labour Party Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, on Media and Strategic Communications.)
