The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Labour Party (LP) under the leadership of Julius Abure, granting the party all rights and privileges associated with duly registered political entities in Nigeria.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, was the result of a suit filed by the Labour Party against INEC, following its failure to issue the party notice for the Refresher Training for the Upload of Political Party Agents to INEC’s portal for the Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled for 16th November 2024.

Reacting to the ruling, Abure hailed the decision as a victory for both justice and democracy. However, Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, along with the party’s caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman, have expressed their intent to appeal the judgement.

The plaintiff (Labour Party), in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, contested INEC’s omission in issuing the necessary notice for the training session. The party had requested the court to determine if, under sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, it was entitled to receive the notice for the training, which would facilitate the upload of political party agents for the Ondo State election.

The Labour Party argued that INEC’s failure to issue the notice contravened Section 43(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and violated specific clauses of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections. Among the reliefs sought was an order compelling INEC to conduct the required training and provide the party with the access code for its agents.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite granted all the reliefs requested by the Labour Party, with the exception of the N5 million cost sought by the party.

In his statement, Abure expressed his gratitude for the ruling, describing it as a reaffirmation of the rule of law and democracy in Nigeria. “This victory is not just mine, but one for justice and democracy,” he remarked, praising the court for its integrity in upholding the law.

He also expressed appreciation to Justice Nwite for his courage in delivering the ruling and acknowledged previous judgments by other judges, which laid the foundation for this decision. Abure extended an olive branch to those who had opposed his leadership, urging them to reconcile with the party for the greater good of Nigeria.

In response to the judgement, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Governor Alex Otti, alongside the caretaker committee, expressed their decision to appeal. Senator Nenadi Usman, chair of the caretaker committee, issued a statement noting that the case had commenced before the formation of the committee. However, after receiving a briefing on the case, they resolved to join the proceedings and pursue an appeal.

Usman called for calm among party members, urging them to maintain peace as the party continued its internal reconciliation process.

This ruling further reinforces Abure’s position as the party’s national chairman, even as internal conflicts within the Labour Party persist, particularly in the wake of the 2023 general election.