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‘Illegal, Unconstitutional’ – Labour Party’s NWC Denounces Abure’s Suspension

Published

6 months ago

May 25, 2024.

The Labour Party’s NWC has declared Abure’s suspension by the Edo State chapter as “illegal” and “unconstitutional.”
The party’s Secretary stated that only a national convention can suspend the national chairman.
The NWC advised Abure to disregard the suspension, stating it lacks legal authority and is part of ongoing attacks against him.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Labour Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has declared the Edo State chapter’s suspension of its National Chairman, Julius Abure, as “illegal” and “unconstitutional.” This statement comes amid internal disputes within the party that escalated with Abure’s suspension by his local ward in Esan North-East Local Government, Edo State.

The controversy began with a letter dated May 14, 2024, followed by ratification on May 15, 2024, in which Abure was suspended immediately for alleged highhandedness and anti-party activities.

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These decisions were reportedly endorsed by the state executive committee, led by Kelly Ogbaloi, during a meeting on Friday night in Benin.

Addressing the controversy in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, stated that the Edo State chapter acted without proper authority.

According to Ifoh, the party’s constitution stipulates in Article 17 Subsection 1 of the 2019 revision that only a national convention convened specifically for this purpose and achieving a two-thirds majority can suspend or remove the national chairman.

Abure’s Suspension

“The actions taken by the ward, local government, or even the state level do not legally hold the capacity to suspend the National Chairman,” Ifoh explained.

He also referenced previous rulings from both the Edo High Court and the Appeal Court which support this constitutional framework, reinforcing the national body’s stance against the state chapter’s decision.