THIS DAWN — The Labour Party (LP), on Friday, convened a decisive National Executive Committee (NEC) to sort out the challenges facing the party.
During the meeting, it ratified the outcome of the 2024 Nnewi National Convention and endorsed a comprehensive plan to conduct congresses across wards, local governments and states.
The meeting, held in Abuja, marks a significant step toward stabilising the party’s internal structure ahead of future elections.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Rakiya Dattijo of the Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) Department, were in attendance to observe the proceedings.
The gathering also featured key party stakeholders, including the 2023 Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and representatives from the 36 states and the FCT.
The NEC, afterwards, issued a communiqué jointly signed by the National Chairman, Julius Abure, and National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim.
It reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Nnewi Convention, thereby laying to rest all permutations.
It stressed that its decisions were fully in line with the Supreme Court’s position that internal party affairs remain non-justiciable.
Legal support
Quoting extensively from recent Supreme Court judgments, the NEC emphasised that political parties are corporate entities governed by their own constitutions, rules, and internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
The communiqué cited the apex court’s ruling in Abegunde vs. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors. (2025) LPELR-24588 (SC).
The ruling reinforced the principle that members who voluntarily join a political party automatically consent to be bound by its constitution and decisions.
“The internal affairs of a political party are non-justiciable and therefore not subject to the judicial powers of the courts,” the communiqué stated.
It added that members must exhaust internal mechanisms for dispute resolution.
Following these legal foundations, the NEC formally reaffirmed the election of the 17-member National Working Committee at the March 27, 2024, Nnewi Convention.
Those reconfirmed include National Secretary Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Farouk, Deputy National Chairmen Chief Clement Ojukwu, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, and Dr. Esther Gulmu, as well as National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
The NEC also approved the filling of key vacant positions, appointing the following:
- Oluwafemi Abayomi Arabambi as National Vice Chairman (South West),
- Prince Favour Reuben as Assistant National Organizing Secretary, and,
- Barr. Enu Kikanwa as Assistant National Woman Leader (South South).
Furthermore, the NEC mandated the National Chairman and National Secretary to convene a Special Convention “if necessary”.
It also ratified the plan to immediately commence congresses nationwide.
