Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, along with a 29-member caretaker committee, plans to appeal a recent court ruling affirming Julius Abure’s position as National Chairman. This decision follows a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that validated the national convention which returned Abure and his National Working Committee to office.
The court mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore the party leadership’s legitimacy and privileges, ruling that the Nnewi convention held in March complied with the country’s laws.
In light of this judgment, Abure expressed his willingness to reconcile with party members and urged Obi to help pacify dissenters within the party.
In a statement released late Tuesday, Senator Nenadi Usman, Chair of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee, announced the decision to appeal. She emphasized that the appeal was made after a meeting with Obi, where they discussed the court’s ruling.
Usman urged party members to remain calm, stating, “The case actually preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee. However, after being briefed, the Caretaker Committee decided to join the case. Consequently, we have resolved to appeal the judgment accordingly.”
This appeal comes amid ongoing tensions within the party, as some stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction with Abure’s reelection, claiming the Nnewi convention lacked inclusivity.
In July, Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti formed the caretaker committee, which Usman leads, with the mandate to conduct expanded elections for new executives at various levels within the party.
