The embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure, was conspicuously absent yesterday during an emergency meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the leaders of registered political parties.
The meeting was part of INEC’s efforts to ensure the success of the forthcoming off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo states, scheduled for September 21 and November 11, respectively.
It was gathered that Abure was not invited to the meeting due to the unresolved leadership crisis within the party. This absence mirrored a similar scenario on August 14, when Abure was also excluded from the third regular quarterly consultative meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
Sources revealed that INEC’s decision to sideline Abure stems from the ongoing factional dispute within the Labour Party. INEC had previously distanced itself from the LP convention held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, Anambra State, where Abure was re-elected as national chairman. In a letter dated July 18, INEC confirmed that it did not monitor the convention and, therefore, could not validate its outcome.
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This development comes at the time the LP’s internal conflict continues to deepen. The party’s sole governor, Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have scheduled a special meeting in Umuahia for next Wednesday, aiming to address the crisis and restore unity within the party.
Adding to the turmoil, the LP’s Ojo Local Government Chapter in Lagos State on Wednesday suspended Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, a House of Representatives member representing Ojo Federal Constituency. Sowunmi was accused of “gross insubordination” after he failed to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee as requested. The suspension, announced in a letter signed by the party’s local government chairman, Oluwanifemi Elegbede, and secretary, Blessing Okafor, cited Sowunmi’s refusal to cooperate with existing party leadership and his attempts to remove constituted leaders without following due process.
Sowunmi has, however, contested his suspension, describing the Dayo Ekong-led Lagos State executive as “impostors.” He argued that their tenure expired on January 26, 2024, and therefore, they no longer represent the authentic leadership of the party in Lagos.
Parties to sign peace accord on Sept 12 ahead Edo guber
During the INEC meeting, which excluded LP, the commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, emphasised the importance of political parties adhering to laid-down rules, especially regarding the digital submission of polling and collation agents’ particulars.
He announced that political parties contesting the Edo Governorship election must sign a peace accord on September 12, ahead of the election. He added that the early signing is intended to enable the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, to monitor compliance before the election.
Yakubu also highlighted INEC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, noting that there would be no return to manual procedures for nominating polling agents. He urged political parties to fully comply with the Commission’s regulations and guidelines, particularly in relation to the ongoing campaigns in Edo State.
The meeting concluded with a call for political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns, avoid violence, and respect the mandate of the people to ensure a credible election process.
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