The National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure has declared that he was back as National Chairman, and that the LP was united and has no faction in its rank.
He also disclosed that the suspended Deputy National Chairman of the party, Apapa Lamidi, failed in his attempt to create a faction in LP.
Abure also explained that the FCT High Court in Abuja ceases to have jurisdiction over a suit praying for a restraining order over him, adding that High Court ruling has been set aside by “our appeal at the Appeal Court ”.
Speaking at a press conference in the party’s secretariat, the LP leader further advised Apapa to tell his paymasters that he was too old for the assignment given to him.
He said the party would forgive Apapa and his co travellers because the Labour Party was not a place where he could cause trouble and go free, stating that categorically that the Labour Party has no faction.
He said it has become imperative for him to address the press to properly put the legal issues surrounding the leadership of the party in their proper perspectives.
He further said, “Labour Party has only one leadership and that leadership is the National Working Committee led by myself, Barrister Julius Abure.
Recall that some few members of the party allegedly burgled the office and appointed themselves, four of them, as officers of the party acting on the purported and upon a restraining order, an ex parte order granted by the FCT High Court.
“A cursory look at the originating summons which is pending before the High Court of the FCT, Apapa and his cohorts asking that court upon granting their reliefs in the final judgment to direct the NEC to appoint interim National officers for the party.
Out of desperation they are not patient enough to wait for the outcome of the final judgment but employed self-help and appoint themselves as National Officers of the Party.
“However, our objection to the court jurisdiction was overruled by Justice J. Muazu of FCT High Court on the 12th of May. On the same day, we filled a Notice of Appeal. Then on Wednesday 17th May, the Appeal was entered at the Court of Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/559/2023. Also we have filled our Appellant Brief of Argument which has been served on the trail courts.
“By necessary implication the FCT High Court in Maitama ceases to have jurisdiction over the matter. The matter is now on the course list of the Court of Appeal. So, what the High Court judge is expected to do is to adjourn the matter sine-die.
“It is worthy of note that in 2021 in Suleiman V. APC reported in NWLR (2023) 5 NWLR 211-416 Supreme Court same Justice Muazu wrongly assumed jurisdiction. His decision jettison by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme. This report was communicated but surprisingly he went ahead to assume jurisdiction.
“However, having appealed and file a motion for stay which has been served on the judge, I and my colleagues have now fully assumed our constitutional responsibilities as national officers of the party”.
The LP national chairman also debunked allegation that Senate President aspirant Godswill Akpabio had given the sum of N500 million to the party when he paid a consultation visit on the party headquarters on Wednesday.
National Secretary of the party Umar Farouk also debunked the allegation that the party was ruined by religious and regional sentiments, stating that the composition of the party executives was balanced in both ethnic and religious composition.
