The Labour Party (LP) has strongly rejected reports suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had withdrawn recognition from its current leadership, declaring that Julius Abure remains the legitimate National Chairman of the party.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the LP described the claim as “false, misleading, and an attempt to sow confusion among party members and supporters.”
According to Ifoh, the party has not received any official communication from INEC indicating a withdrawal of recognition from Abure or the National Working Committee (NWC) he leads. He noted that the party’s leadership was duly elected at its last convention and continues to enjoy the mandate of its members nationwide.
“INEC does not have the constitutional powers to determine the leadership of a political party. That responsibility rests squarely with members of the party, and our constitution is clear on this matter. Abure remains our National Chairman and will continue to lead the Labour Party as mandated,” the statement read.
The party further accused some unnamed political interests of attempting to destabilize its internal structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Those behind these desperate attempts to blackmail the leadership of our party will fail. Labour Party has come to stay as the voice of the ordinary Nigerian, and no amount of misinformation or propaganda will derail us from our mission of rescuing Nigeria,” the LP stressed.
Supporters of the party across the country have also been urged to disregard the reports and continue to rally behind Abure’s leadership.
This latest controversy comes at a time when the Labour Party has been battling internal wrangling, with rival factions claiming legitimacy. However, the Abure-led faction insists it remains the only authentic leadership recognized by party structures nationwide.