The Julius Abure–led faction of the Labour Party (LP) on Friday, November 28, held a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) at the party’s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, where it reaffirmed the national officers elected at its 2024 national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The meeting was attended by the National Chairman, Julius Abure, former vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed, members of the National Working Committee, state chairmen and secretaries, as well as other co-opted NEC members.

A monitoring team from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Rakiya Dattijo of the Election and Party Monitoring Department, was also present.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, NEC said it reviewed issues arising from the 2024 national convention in line with court pronouncements and the position of the Supreme Court on party leadership matters.

It quoted the apex court as saying that “issues of leadership of a political party is an internal affair of the party for which the courts have no business.”

The NEC also recalled the court’s position that a political party is a corporate entity governed by its constitution, and that members are bound by its rules.

“Having subscribed to the membership of a political party, a member has by his membership agreed to be bound by the constitution and the decision of the party,” the communiqué said.

Following the review, the NEC reaffirmed Abure as National Chairman and Umar Farouk Ibrahim as National Secretary, alongside other national officers elected at the March 27, 2024 convention.

The NEC also filled vacant positions in the National Working Committee.

Those appointed included Oluwafemi Abayomi Arabambi as National Vice Chairman (South West), Prince Favour Reuben as Assistant National Organizing Secretary and Barr. Enu Kikawa as Assistant National Woman Leader (South South).

The NEC mandated the National Chairman and National Secretary to convene a special national convention if necessary.

It also ratified plans to conduct ward, local government and state congresses across the federation.

Abure said the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s structures ahead of future political activities. (Daily Trust)