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Appeal Court affirms Abure as Labour Party’s National Chairman

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Friday, affirmed Mr. Julius Abure as the authentic National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, upheld the October 8, judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, today grant the LP under Abure’s leadership, all the rights and privileges accorded a political party duly registered in the country.

According to the appellate court, it found no reason to dislodge the judgement that was delivered in Abure’s favour by Justice Emeka Nwite.

It will be recalled that following a leadership crisis that rocked the LP, the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party resolved to remove Abure as the National Chairman.

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To fill the leadership vacuum, the party constituted a 29-member caretaker committee, with former finance minister, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, as Chairman and Hon. Darlington Nwokocha as Secretary.

The decision was the outcome of an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the party that was hosted in Umuahia by governor Alex Otti of Abia State.

The meeting where Abure was sacked from office was chaired by his former ally and candidate of the party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Abure approached the high court to validate his position as the National Chairman of the party.

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In an affidavit he personally deposed to in support of the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, Abure told the court that following the death of the National Chairman of the LP, he was lawfully elected as the Acting National Chairman of the party at a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the party that held in Benin City, Edo State, on March 29, 2021.

He told the court that on April 18, 2023, at the NEC meeting of the party held in Asaba, Delta State and duly monitored by INEC, it was resolved that tenures of State Chairmen whose tenures had expired, be renewed.

He said it was at the same meeting that some members that were engaged in anti-party activities were expelled and replacements for vacant positions created as a result of the expulsion, done.

Abure averred that in line with a consensus that was reached at the meeting, the party subsequently held its National Convention on March 27, 2024, at Nnewi, Anambra State, where we was lawfully elected to the office of National Chairman of the LP.

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He said the party under his leadership produced candidates for governorship elections in both Edo and Ondo states.

According to the plaintiff, on June 28, 2024, INEC, issued to him and 18 other National Chairmen of political parties, a Notice for Inspection of Sensitive Election Materials for the Ondo and Edo state governorship polls.

However, he decried that a later notice that INEC gave for political parties to nominate two persons from their IT Unit to undertake a training on how to upload data unto INEC’s portal for the purpose of the impending Ondo state gubernatorial election, was not served on him.

Abure told the court that he became aware of the existence of the said notice of the training by INEC, on August 21, 2024, due to the fact that he is a member of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, IPAC.

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Therefore, he prayed the court to intervene by compelling INEC to acord him recognition as the National Chairman of the LP.

While granting the request, Justice Nwite held that he found merit in the case of the plaintiff.

The court equally ordered INEC to perform its lawful duty by conducting a refresher training for the upload of LP’s agents into the INEC portal and to issue the plaintiff (Abure) the Access Code required to access INEC’s portal for the Ondo Governorship Election that held on November 16, 2024.

“I am of the view that and so hold that on the basis of these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails.

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“The plaintiff has proved his case.

“I hereby make an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure all the rights and privileges accorded a political party duly registered in Nigeria,” Justice Nwite held.

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Politics

Opposition Parties Form Alliance Against Tinubu, Announce Date To Unveil Mega Coalition

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Opposition Parties have reunited against Tinubu and announced date to unveil mega coalition.

Naijablitznews reports with the 2027 general elections fast approaching, opposition parties and disgruntled members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are intensifying behind-the-scenes discussions to form a mega coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Sources revealed that the discussions, which involve key political figures from both the North and South, include elements from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), civil society groups, and APC defectors.

While details of the emerging coalition remain closely guarded to prevent disruption, insiders suggest that widespread discontent with Tinubu’s administration, especially in the North has fueled the urgency for a formidable opposition front.

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Among those confirming these developments are:
– Olawale Okunniyi, Director General of the National Consultative Front

– Ralph Okey-Nwosu, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)

– Usman Bugaje, a prominent Northern political figure and former presidential aide

Okunniyi disclosed that the opposition coalition is expected to take shape by June or July 2025, following a national summit in May.

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“This summit will bring together key stakeholders to shape a formidable, ultra-mega opposition movement. Expect something concrete by July,” he said.

He also hinted that major political figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, are actively consulting on their roles within the coalition.

“We could adopt an existing party—it might even be the PDP. However, rebranding and restructuring the party leadership would be essential,” he added.

‘Nigerians Are Suffering, APC is Weak’ – Okey-Nwosu
ADC Chairman, Okey-Nwosu confirmed that discussions are ongoing but stressed that caution is necessary due to alleged efforts by the APC to destabilize opposition parties.

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“The opposition is mobilizing because this government is weak. Nigerians are hungry, suffering, and disillusioned. A citizens’ movement will emerge to reclaim the country in 2027,” he said.

He accused the APC of using state resources to suppress opposition voices, alleging that some opposition leaders are being threatened or enticed with financial offers.

“We know the APC is trying to dismantle existing parties. That’s why coalition talks are kept secret. The ruling party is more focused on retaining power than good governance,” he added.

Northern Stakeholders Push For Alternative
In the North, dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s policies is fueling calls for an alternative. Prominent Northern leader, Usman Bugaje stated that many political figures in the region are considering aligning with the emerging coalition.

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“The North is deeply unhappy with the current administration. A viable alternative will emerge before the 2027 elections, either gradually or in a significant way,” he told Punch

Many Northern elites reportedly believe that Tinubu’s economic policies have negatively impacted their region and are looking for a political realignment.

Punch

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PDP Crisis: Anyanwu, Ude-Okoye Suspended

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Following the dramatic scenes at its recent meeting, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decided to bar Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye from attending future BoT gatherings until the ongoing dispute over the party’s national secretary position is settled.

The decision was reached after a chaotic incident at the last BoT meeting, where a physical altercation erupted. The confrontation began when an aide to Senator Anyanwu tried to prevent Ude-Okoye from entering the meeting, despite his official invitation. Tensions have been high within the party due to the disagreement between the two over who should hold the crucial position of national secretary.

The national secretary of the PDP is a statutory member of the BoT, and the ongoing tussle between Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye has only deepened divisions within the party. The confrontation occurred at last week’s meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja when Ude-Okoye was directed to sit at the high table, which sparked the heated exchange.

To address the crisis, the BoT has formed a committee led by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), former Minister of Special Duties, to mediate between the two parties and provide a resolution for further action.

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A source within the BoT, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the decision to suspend the two from attending future meetings was made in an effort to maintain order and prevent further disruptions. The source expressed the Board’s disappointment in how the situation unfolded but remains confident that the newly formed committee will resolve the matter amicably.

“The BoT was very disappointed with the way things played out. To avoid another incident, the Board has decided that both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye will not be allowed to attend future meetings until the issue is fully resolved,” the source explained. “Though both seem unwilling to back down, we are hopeful the committee will come to a conclusion, and everyone will respect the BoT’s final decision.”

The dispute over the national secretary position stems from when Senator Anyanwu stepped down to run for the Imo State governorship election, which he ultimately lost.

After his departure, the South East zone nominated Ude-Okoye as his replacement, but Anyanwu contested this choice in court. The matter escalated, and while Anyanwu lost the case at the Appeal Court, the issue is now before the Supreme Court.

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Further clarifications from the BoT source emphasized that Ude-Okoye was not at fault for attending the meeting without permission.

He had been officially invited and had received the approval of party leaders from his zone after being reaffirmed as the national secretary in Enugu State just a week before the Abuja meeting.

Another party leader also supported the BoT’s move, asserting that barring the two from further meetings was necessary to maintain order and avoid more disruptions within the party.

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Ex-Bayelsa LP governorship candidate Eradiri joins APC

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The November 11, 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying it is behind all the projects in his Agudiama/Ekpetiama community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Eradiri, who registered for the APC at Ward 10 Constituency 2 in Yenagoa Local Government Area, said President Tinubu, through Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), gave his community potable water, shore protection, solar lights, and one kilometre road.

He said besides his community, almost all the communities in the Niger Delta region have benefitted from the light-up project and other interventionist programmes of the NDDC.

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According to him, the Tinubu administration, through the NDDC, had also promised to embark on other projects, including the remodeling of a secondary school and providing quality accommodation for members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in his community.

Eradiri, who was received by a crowd of residents and APC members in his ward, noted that through the Tantita Security Services Limited and the NDDC, the Niger Delta region had experienced peace and steady progress in infrastructural development.

He gave some instances, including the recent President’s assent to the Maritime University Bill into law and the Bill establishing the University of Technology and Environment in Ogoni land.

Eradiri said these would help to deepen the already existing peace in the region.

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The former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and later Environment stressed that President Tinubu was steadily addressing the injustices and marginalisation the region suffered over the past years.

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