The Labour Party (LP) has formally denied that its recently dismissed National Chairman, Julius Abure, is authorised to distribute party nomination forms in Abia State. In a statement released on Sunday, the party described images circulating on social media of Abure handing out the documents as “embarrassing and ridiculous,” and warned that any such forms are illegal.
The statement, signed by National Publicity Secretary Ken Eluma Asogwa, reaffirmed that Senator Nenadi Usman remains the party’s legitimate National Chairman. It further stressed that authentic nomination forms for any elective position can only be obtained from the party’s official National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja. Forms acquired from Abure or any other unauthorised source, the party said, are “useless paper” being disseminated by individuals seeking to deceive the public.
The LP urged voters and prospective candidates to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to what it described as “political frauds” posing as party officials. The statement noted that the distribution of the forged forms appears to be confined to Abia State and warned that any attempt to extort, threaten, or manipulate the party’s leadership will not be tolerated.
“Any individual who pretends to be the National Chairman of the Labour Party commits a serious offence that carries legal consequences,” the party added. Referring to Abure’s legal background, the statement said he should be aware of the ramifications and that law enforcement and the courts will address the matter.
The controversy follows internal disputes within the Labour Party that led to Abure’s removal from the chairmanship earlier this year. While the party has not disclosed the specific reasons for his dismissal, the current incident underscores ongoing tensions over control of party processes ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
The Labour Party’s clear message serves to protect its electoral integrity and reinforce the authority of its recognised leadership. Observers note that the issue highlights the challenges political parties face in managing internal dissent and preventing the misuse of party symbols. The matter is expected to be escalated to the police, and further legal action may be pursued pending investigation.
