Abure: Don’t validate LP national convention, it’s illegal – NLC writes INEC

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, against validating the Labour Party, LP, National Convention scheduled for March 27, 2024.

NLC issued the caution in a letter addressed to the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu.

In the letter by the NLC’s solicitors, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, dated March 22, 2024, the NLC accused the LP Chairman, Julius Abure and his associates of planning an illegal convention in defiance of court orders.

NLC noted that such a national convention was illegal due to standing court rulings that declared the LP’s status and ordered inclusive conventions.

The NLC, in the letter signed by Marshal Abubakar, threatened legal action if INEC failed to comply with the demand.

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The letter titled, “Request To Desist From Validating The Illegal Labour Party National Convention Scheduled For March 27, 2024,” reads, “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress, on whose behalf we write this letter.

“It has come to our notice that Mr Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party, and a handful of his supporters are planning to hold a national convention of the Labour Party on March 27, 2024, at Abia, Abia State, with the active connivance of some officials of the commission under your able leadership.

“As you are no doubt aware, a national convention conducted by the Abure faction will be violative of the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party and 3 Ors. vs. Com. Salisu Muhammed, where the court had declared the Labour Party as ‘an institutional political party founded, promoted, and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers’, and thus ordered the factions to ‘convene an expansive and inclusive national convention of the party.’ Please find attached a CTC of the judgment.

“Similarly, the plaintiffs in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/491/2021 between Labour Party & 9 Ors. vs. Barrister Julius Abure& 2 Ors. had approached the Federal High Court seeking, inter alia, an order of injunction in favour of the plaintiffs restraining the first (Barrister Julius Abure), second (Umar Farouk), and third (Barr. Akingbade Samuel Oyelakin) defendants, or any and/or all of the national officers appointed in any manner violative of the orders of the Federal High Court in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. vs. Com. Salisu Muhammed & Ors.”

It added: “In a well-considered ruling, the Federal High Court on Friday, July 23, 2021, ruled, ‘An order is hereby made for the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum in order not to disturb the res of the matter pending further order of this court.’ Attached is a CTC of the order.

“In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to urge you to restrain officials of the commission from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for the rule of law by attending the illegal convention.

“Take notice that unless you comply with the foregoing request forthwith, we shall approach the Federal High Court and institute contempt proceedings against you.”