POLITICS
INEC Removes Julius Abure-Led Executives from Portal, Recognises Nenadi Usman’s Faction as Labour Party National Leadership Following Court Order
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially removed the names of the Julius Abure-led national executives of the Labour Party from its online portal, in compliance with a subsisting court judgment, and has replaced them with officials aligned with the Nenadi Usman-led faction.
A review of INEC’s portal shows that all previously listed members of the Abure-led National Working Committee have been delisted, while new national officers reflecting the court-backed leadership structure have been uploaded by the electoral body.
This development follows a ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on January 21, which removed Julius Abure from office as National Chairman of the Labour Party. The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, relied on the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, in affirming Nenadi Usman, former Minister of Finance, as the authentic national chairman of the party.
INEC’s portal now lists Nenadi Usman as National Chairman of the Labour Party, with an accompanying note indicating that the update was effected pursuant to a court order. The commission also uploaded other principal national officers in line with the same ruling.
Darlington Nwokocha is now listed as National Secretary, Hamisu Santuraki as National Treasurer, Aisha Madije as National Financial Secretary, and Eric Ifere as National Legal Adviser.
The electoral commission further clarified on its portal that the recognition of the newly listed party leaders was carried out strictly in obedience to the directive of the court.
The update represents a significant turning point in the leadership crisis that has engulfed the Labour Party in recent times and signals INEC’s alignment with judicial pronouncements in determining the legitimate leadership of political parties.
With the development, attention is now expected to shift to how the newly recognised leadership will consolidate its authority and steer the affairs of the party ahead of future political engagements.