In a bold move that could reshape the Labour Party’s internal structure, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti on Wednesday led a high-powered Labour Party (LP) delegation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, confirmed via INEC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, centered around presenting a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the previous Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership.
Governor Otti, acting in his capacity as a prominent LP leader, submitted the document as part of efforts to establish clarity and transparency about the Labour Party’s current leadership structure, following months of internal wrangling and legal disputes.
“The meeting aimed to foster clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment,” the commission stated.
The delegation was formally received by INEC Acting Chairman, Sam Olumekun, alongside other National Commissioners. With INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu currently in The Gambia for an ECOWAS electoral commission summit, Olumekun reassured the delegation of the commission’s dedication to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in all electoral matters.
The Supreme Court’s recent verdict, delivered last Friday, dealt a heavy blow to Julius Abure, previously recognized by the Court of Appeal as LP’s national chairman. The apex court ruled that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of the political party, thereby restoring the original leadership dynamics within the LP.
This latest development is seen as a turning point in the ongoing power tussle within the Labour Party, with Governor Otti taking a proactive step to ensure INEC’s alignment with the Supreme Court ruling and prevent further ambiguity in the party’s leadership.
As discussions on democratic values and institutional cooperation intensify, political analysts say the Labour Party is now entering a new phase, one that could determine its organizational stability ahead of future elections.
