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The embattled Labour Party’s National Chairman , remain LP national chairman, Mr Julius Abure on Thursday assumed office at the party national Secretariat, saying he remain the only national chairman of the party.
Abure at press conference at the party National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday said he and the three other suspended officials of the party returned to the party’s Secretariat in Abuja to resume their various duties after much contention.
He said that the party had appealed the FCT High Court’s order refraining him, the party National Secretary, Farouk Ibrahim, and two others from parading themselves as the party’s national officials.
“It has become imperative for me to address this press conference to properly put the legal issues surrounding the leadership of the party on their proper perspectives for quite some time now about the leadership of the party.
“ It is pertinent to state categorically and clearly that LP has no faction. LP has only one leadership and that leadership is the National Working Committee led by myself, Abure.
“Recall that some few members of the party burgled themselves into 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 Lamidi Apapa and his cohorts asked that court upon granting their reliefs in the final judgement to direct the NEC to appoint interim National officers for the party. “
Abure said that out of desperation the factional group was 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 May 12. On the same day, we filled a Notice of Appeal.
“Then on Wednesday May 17, 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, he said
Abure said that the matter was now on the course list of the Court of Appeal, hence what the High Court judge was expected to do was 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.“
Abure said that haven appealed and file a motion for stay which has been served on the judge, him and my colleagues have now fully assumed our constitutional responsibilities as national officers of the party.
He also denied allegations by the Apapa Lamidi-led faction of the party that he collected N500 million Naira to endorse Godswill Akpabio for Senate President.
Abure said that it was true that Akpabio met with the party leaders, but no money was given to them.
There is nothing unusual about the visit. I am aware that they visited other political parties. For me, even though we belong to different political parties, we will listen.
“We made it abundantly clear that it is the legislators that selects their leadership. There is nothing wrong with their visit; no money was given,” he said.
He also debunked allegations that he mobilsed people to attack Apapa and his team at the Presidential Election Tribunal on Wednesday.
Abure said the attack was by Nigerians who were unhappy about his Apapa’ actions against LP. (NAN)