I’ve returned as Labour Party chairman – Julius Abure

Mr. Julius Abure, the suspended national chairman of the Labour Party, says he has assumed office as the substantive chairman of the party, after months of leadership tussle that almost tore the party apart.

Abure announced his resumption as active national chairman of the Labour Party, following the appeal by the party on the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, restraining Abure from parading himself alongside three others.

“It has become imperative for me to address this press conference to properly put the legal issues surrounding the leadership of the party on their proper perspectives for quite some time now about the leadership of the party,” he said at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

“It is pertinent to state categorically and clearly that Labour Party has no faction. Labour Party has only one leader and that leadership is the National Working Committee led by myself, Barrister Julius Abure.

“Recall that some few members of the party burgled themselves into the office and appointed themselves, four of them, as officers of the party acting on the purported and upon a restraining order, an ex parte order granted by the FCT High Court.

“A cursory look at the originating summons which is pending before the High Court of the FCT, Apapa and his cohorts asking that court upon granting their reliefs in the final judgement to direct the NEC to appoint interim National officers for the party.

“Out of desperation they are not patient enough to wait for the outcome of the final judgment but employed self-help and appoint themselves as National Officers of the Party.

“However, our objection to the court jurisdiction was overruled by Justice J. Muazu of FCT High Court on the 12th of May. On the same day, we filed a Notice of Appeal. Then on Wednesday 17th May, the Appeal was entered at the Court of Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/559/2023.

“Also, we have filled our Appellant Brief of Argument which has been served on the trial courts.

“By necessary implication, the FCT High Court in Maitama ceases to have jurisdiction over the matter.

“The matter is now on the course list of the Court of Appeal. So, what the High Court judge is expected to do is to adjourn the matter sine die.”