A legal firm, Falana Chambers, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission warning the commission against recognizing Julius Abure as the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party.
Falana Chambers, representing the National Transition Committee of the Labour Party, claims that Abure’s tenure has expired. The firm referenced a Federal High Court judgment from Suit No: FHC/ABJ/IC/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed, along with an INEC-brokered agreement from June 27, 2022, asserting that any further recognition of Abure would violate these legal precedents.
The letter, dated July 4, 2024, and signed by Marahal Abubakar, LP, urged INEC to cease any interactions with Abure and his associates. The firm stressed that officials should not undermine the administration of justice and must respect the rule of law. Accompanying the letter were a report of the mediated settlement and a certified true copy of the Federal High Court judgment.
In the letter, Falana Chambers highlighted that the Labour Party has failed to conduct elections for over four years, which contravenes Section 233(1)(a) and (2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022. The firm also emphasized the role of the Nigeria Labour Congress as the platform for the Labour Party and noted that the party’s inability to hold elections stems from the expired tenure of Abure and his National Working Committee.
The legal firm warned INEC that failure to comply with their request would lead to contempt proceedings against the INEC Chairman at the Federal High Court.
“TAKE NOTICE that unless you comply with the foregoing request forthwith, we shall approach the Federal High Court and institute contempt proceedings against you,” the Falana Chambers warned.
