A State High Court sitting in Edo has upheld Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party and has restrained the Lamidi Apapa-led faction from suspending or removing him from office. The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Aihamoje ruled in favour of Abure while dismissing the notice of suspension issued against him by some party members at the ward level, citing a lack of merit.
The decision to issue the notice of suspension was initially made by members of the Labour Party ward executive in Uromi in ward 3 of Esan North East, Edo State. However, Justice Aihamoje judged that this executive lacked the power to remove the national chairman of the party in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
The court went on to impose perpetual injunction against the Lamidi Apapa-led faction, confirming that they cannot suspend or remove Abure as the national chairman until a new national convention of the party is convened. Reacting to the ruling, LP Ward 3 Chairman, Thompson Ehiguese, expressed his satisfaction with the judgement and claimed that the charlatans claiming to be members of the party and causing crisis are from Edo North and members of APC.
Edo State Labour Party Chairman, Kelly Ogbaloi, confirmed the party had been vindicated, emphasising that Apapa and his faction were ‘tragic power seekers’. On the other hand, Abayomi Arabambi, the spokesperson for the Lamidi Apapa-led faction, said he would address the press at a later time to discuss the ruling.
The judgement has put to rest the crisis surrounding the leadership of the Labour Party and reinstated Barrister Julius Abure as the rightful national chairman until a new convention is held next year.
