Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, has issued a statement following the Federal High Court’s ruling affirming his leadership.

Abure expressed gratitude and forgiveness, calling the victory “a triumph for justice and democracy.”

“This victory is not just mine, but a victory for justice and democracy,” he said.

According to Abure, he will forgive those who attempted to undermine the party and engaged in character assassination.

He extended appreciation to the judiciary, particularly Justice Emeka Nwite, for upholding justice.

Abure urged Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to help unite the party.

The Labour Party chairman emphasized the party’s commitment to fighting for the common man and Nigeria’s betterment. “With collective efforts, we will continue to work for a Labour Party that truly represents the hopes and aspirations of every Nigerian,” he said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday declared Abure as the substantive Chairman of the Labour Party.

The judgement was pronounced by Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday, affirming the Abure-led leadership and the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced the national leadership.

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Abure as the legitimate chairman, overriding INEC’s earlier stance that Abure’s leadership was invalid.

The Chairman, Labour Party Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, on Tuesday said her committee would appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja which upheld the Julius Abure-led leadership.

Usman in a statement she personally signed said she met with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Abia State Governor, Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee) and deliberated on the judgment.

The former finance minister admitted that the judgement which upheld the Nnewi Convention of the party preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee, said the leaders resolved to challenge in the judgement.

The LP caretaker committee chairman called on all party members to remain calm and maintain peace as they continue reconciliation efforts.

“This evening, I met with His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee). We deliberated on the judgment passed today.

“The case actually preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee. However, after being briefed, the Caretaker Committee decided to join the case. Consequently, we have resolved to appeal the judgment accordingly.

“I, therefore, call on all party members to remain calm and maintain peace as we continue our reconciliation efforts,” she said.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of being the brain behind the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Wike made this disclosure on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

The minister said the governor was wrong to go ahead with the local government election.

He said: “No person who believes in peace and stability of any nation will say he supports violence, will say he wants to support destruction, will say he doesn’t want people to live in harmony.

But what’s important is that when there’s violence, when there’s instability, it’s for you to ask questions: what has led to the violence, what has led to the instability, what has led to destruction?

“I was a governor and I have always obeyed the rule of law. You heard the governor say the state is turning into anarchy. You must respect the rule of law, the judgement of the court. It doesn’t matter how you see that judgement. The moment you don’t obey judgement you’re inviting anarchy and violence.

A governor came out on national television and said he won’t obey court judgement. He went as far as to say he doesn’t need police and protection of lives and property.

“When someone says he doesn’t need police and protection of lives and property, he’s inviting anarchy. The governor is the architect of the violence.”