The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has reaffirmed the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure as the authentic National Chairman, disowning a parallel meeting held in Abuja last week which sought to rename an “illegal” caretaker committee.
The resolution came at the end of the NEC meeting held on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the party’s National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja.
The gathering was attended by top party officials including members of the National Working Committee (NWC), state chairmen, national officers, key stakeholders, and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate.
In a strongly worded communique, the NEC condemned the recent meeting held at the Transcorp Hotel on Friday, July 18, describing it as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
The NEC disassociated itself from the gathering and rejected its outcome, including the attempted rebranding of an “illegal” Caretaker Committee into an “Interim National Working Committee.”
“NEC notes that no matter how illegality is decorated, it cannot be legal,” the resolution stated.
Citing Article 14 (4)(B) of the Labour Party Constitution and Section 82 of the Electoral Act 2022, the NEC emphasized that only the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman has the authority to convene such meetings.
It stressed that no proper notice was given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as required by law.
The NEC reaffirmed that there is no leadership vacuum in the party, reminding members and the public that a valid National Convention was held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The legitimacy of this convention was confirmed by the Supreme Court on April 4, 2025.
As a result, the party called on INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s ruling and to recognize the duly elected leadership of the party.
The NEC passed a vote of confidence in the Barr. Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and urged party members to continue respecting and obeying the party’s leadership and directives.
In a significant political move, the NEC also declared that the Labour Party will not be entering into any coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The coalition of 2023 was bigger than any other coalition. We will therefore rebuild, reconcile, and consolidate the gains of the 2023 general election,” the statement read.
The party maintained that it remains ideologically distinct from other political groups, which it accused of squandering the country’s resources and betraying public trust.
NEC gave the green light for the conduct of congresses at the state, local government, and ward levels, as scheduled by the NWC.
The council also commended Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed for identifying with the party’s leadership and for expressing interest in the 2027 presidential race.
