INEC Clarifies Stance On Labour Party Leadership Crisis
The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Thursday, refuted widespread media reports claiming it had recognised Abure as Labour Party Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The electoral umpire in a statement on its official X handle, described the reports as “false and misleading,” clarifying that no official recognition had been granted to any individual in the ongoing leadership disputes within either party.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that there is an ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour party with various factions laying claim to the authority of the party.
On April 4, 2025, the Supreme Court overturned an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal that had recognised Abure as Labour Party Chairman, declaring that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction over internal party affairs.
The Labour Party subsequently appointed Senator Nenadi Usman as the leader of a new Caretaker Committee to steer the party forward.
In line with the ruling, a delegation led by Governor Otti visited INEC headquarters in Abuja on April 9 and submitted a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment to the electoral body, pressing for its immediate enforcement.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, said, “Our attention has been drawn to some media reports claiming that the commission has recognised certain persons as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party.
The reports also inferred that the commission has restored a particular individual as the National Secretary of the PDP, referring to the listings on the Commission’s official website.”
Oyekanmi explained that Abure’s name and that of LP National Secretary Umar Ibrahim were uploaded to the INEC website based on a prior court order unrelated to the recent Supreme Court judgment.
He clarified that INEC had not made any fresh decisions following the apex court’s ruling.
“In the same manner, the name of the National Secretary of the PDP on the same website was neither deleted nor reinstated,” he added.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
