The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its intention to peacefully take over Labour Party (LP) offices across the country, citing a refusal by Julius Abure and his faction to comply with a Supreme Court judgment nullifying his leadership.
In a strongly worded statement signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the congress warned that Nigerian workers would no longer tolerate what it described as “impunity and utter disrespect for the rule of law.”
According to the NLC, the Supreme Court judgment affirmed that Abure’s tenure as Labour Party chairman had expired, stripping him and his National Working Committee (NWC) of any legal standing. Despite this, Abure has reportedly continued to issue statements and assert his authority, rejecting the court’s decision.
“Abure and co-travellers have sworn themselves to utter impunity and utmost disrespect to Nigeria’s laws,” the NLC stated.
“They are now in grave contempt of a Supreme Court judgment that affirmed what Nigerian workers have said for months.”
Nationwide Action Imminent
The NLC has placed all Labour Party members, Nigerian workers, and democratic supporters on standby for action. The union’s Political Commission, in collaboration with other party stakeholders, is expected to issue directives on how the takeover of LP offices will proceed.
“By this communication, we urge every worker in Nigeria, all genuine members of the Labour Party, and all lovers of democracy to be on standby to once again peacefully repossess all offices of Labour Party nationwide,” the NLC said.
The union also called on the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service (SSS), and other security agencies to respect the rule of law and facilitate compliance with the court’s judgment.
The NLC appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fully enforce the Supreme Court ruling by removing Abure’s credentials from its system and recognising only leadership approved by the Labour Party’s Constitution and NEC.
“Any action to the contrary will present our country as a banana republic,” the NLC warned, adding that an interim LP leadership should be appointed by surviving members of the National Executive Committee to oversee a Special National Convention.
In a swift rebuttal, Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, described the NLC’s planned takeover as an “affront against INEC and security agencies.” Ifoh insisted that the Abure-led national executive remains the authentic leadership of the party.
“NLC’s planned action is illegal and a dangerous escalation,” Ifoh stated.
The battle for the soul of the Labour Party now appears headed for a full-blown confrontation, with Nigerian workers poised to challenge what they describe as misrule within their political arm. The situation places the LP in a precarious position as it seeks to maintain its political relevance ahead of future elections.
With the NLC’s firm stance and increasing legal backing, pressure is mounting on Julius Abure to step aside, or risk intensifying the crisis threatening to engulf the Labour Party.
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