BREAKING: INEC Recognises Abure As Labour Party Chairman, Anyanwu As PDP Secretary
May 8, 2025
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This decision comes after the Supreme Court overruled previous judgments by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had removed both leaders from their positions.
In a move that confirms the stability of the leadership in these political parties, INEC’s website has been updated to reflect these names, signaling the resolution of the internal disputes that had previously rocked both parties.
Labour Party Leadership Confirmation
The controversy surrounding Julius Abure’s leadership of the Labour Party (LP) came to a head when the Supreme Court ruled that the matter was an internal issue within the party and not one that the courts had the jurisdiction to decide. This ruling overturned earlier court decisions that had attempted to remove Abure from his position as chairman.
Abure, who has consistently claimed his legitimacy as the LP chairman, now sees his leadership formally recognized, following the Supreme Court’s directive. The court’s judgment emphasized that the Labour Party’s structure remained intact, and the case was deemed to have no grounds for legal interference. Furthermore, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, along with other party members, had submitted a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment to INEC, ensuring the alignment of the electoral body with the ruling.
PDP Secretary Confirmation
Similarly, Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP saw his position as National Secretary reaffirmed by INEC following the Supreme Court’s decision. Anyanwu’s leadership had been contested by Sunday Ude-Okoye, who had the backing of some PDP governors. However, the court ruled that the case was an internal matter for the party and that the lower courts had no jurisdiction to entertain the dispute.
This ruling also effectively restores Anyanwu to his position as PDP Secretary, as the Supreme Court’s judgment confirmed that the leadership dispute was not for judicial intervention. The PDP now sees the resolution of the issue, with Anyawnu resuming his duties within the party.
The Legal Clarity
The Supreme Court’s decisions on both matters were pivotal in ensuring that the status quo ante bellum — the state of affairs before the legal disputes arose — was restored. While the apex court did not address the merits of the leadership conflicts, it reaffirmed that these matters should be resolved internally by the political parties themselves, without court interference.
For Abure and Anyawu, the confirmation from INEC not only solidifies their leadership positions but also ensures that Labour Party and PDP are in a stronger legal position to continue their political activities.
Political Implications
This recognition by INEC brings clarity to the political landscape, especially within the two major opposition parties in Nigeria. Both the Labour Party and the PDP can now move forward with unified leadership at the national level, strengthening their positions as they prepare for upcoming elections and political engagements.
The recognition of Julius Abure and Senator Samuel Anyanwu by INEC marks a significant turning point in Nigerian
