ABUJA — A high-powered Labour Party delegation, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi, met with top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, seeking to clarify the party’s leadership status following a Supreme Court ruling that upended its executive structure.
The closed-door meeting, held at INEC headquarters in Abuja, was convened to establish a mutual understanding between the party and the commission after Nigeria’s apex court nullified the leadership of the Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee.
Also present at the meeting were acting Labour Party National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, and several National Assembly members. The delegation formally presented INEC with a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment, emphasizing the party’s commitment to institutional integrity and the rule of law.
Governor Otti, speaking on behalf of the delegation, said the visit was part of the party’s efforts to ensure alignment with constitutional and democratic processes.
“We are committed to transparency and to strengthening democratic institutions. This engagement with INEC is necessary to maintain the integrity of our internal party mechanisms and to reassure Nigerians that the Labour Party remains grounded in the values of democratic accountability,” Otti stated.
INEC Acting Chairman, Sam Olumekun, who received the delegation alongside National Commissioners, reiterated the commission’s dedication to remaining impartial and upholding the rule of law.
“Our doors remain open to all political parties. INEC is committed to working with parties to uphold Nigeria’s democratic standards,” Olumekun said.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was not present at the meeting as he is currently attending the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions summit in The Gambia.
The Supreme Court ruling has triggered fresh realignments within the Labour Party, with party leaders now moving quickly to stabilize the party’s internal structure ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
