FACT CHECK: Did court sack Abure as Labour Party National Chairman?

The Labour Party (LP) has refuted claims of a leadership shakeup within the party, asserting that its leadership, headed by Julius Abure, remains intact. In a counter-narrative, the LP emphasized that the recent development actually deals a blow to the Lamidi Apapa-led faction, clarifying the details surrounding the Court of Appeal’s decision in Owerri.

The LP’s stance was articulated through a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh. It clarified that the Appeal Court’s decision was in connection with an appeal filed by Mr. Basil Maduka, who was contending for the Labour Party’s governorship candidacy in Imo State.

There was confusion stemming from the Court of Appeal’s supposed removal of Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
Allegations also arose that the court recognized Lamidi Apapa as the new National Chairman. However, the LP’s statement dismantled these claims.

According to the statement, the Court of Appeal determined that the appeal filed by Basil Maduka was unnecessary, as the trial court’s decision had already favored the party. The comments made by the trial judge were deemed non-binding and should be disregarded.

Ifoh underscored that the Labour Party had initially sought the quashing of the trial court’s comments in the Federal High Court in Owerri. Furthermore, it highlighted that Senator Athan Achonu was the rightful winner of the party’s primaries.

The statement asserted that neither the Federal High Court in Owerri nor the Court of Appeal, which convened in Abuja, issued any orders pertaining to th