The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a cautionary letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), advising against validating the Labour Party’s (LP) National Convention scheduled for March 27, 2024.
The caution was contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, by the NLC’s solicitors, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, dated March 22, 2024. The NLC accused LP Chairman Julius Abure and his associates of planning an illegal convention in defiance of court orders.
The NLC highlighted that previous court rulings had declared the LP’s status and ordered inclusive conventions, making such a national convention illegal.
The letter, signed by Marshal Abubakar, threatened legal action if INEC failed to comply with the demand.
Titled “Request To Desist From Validating The Illegal Labour Party National Convention Scheduled For March 27, 2024,” the letter emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting court judgments.
It read: “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress, on whose behalf we write this letter.
It has come to our notice that Mr. Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party, and a handful of his supporters are planning to hold a national convention of the Labour Party on March 27, 2024, at Abia, Abia State, with the active connivance of some officials of the commission under your able leadership.
“As you are no doubt aware, a national convention conducted by the Abure faction will be violative of the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party and 3 Ors. vs. Com.
Salisu Muhammed, where the court had declared the Labour Party as ‘an institutional political party founded, promoted, and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers’, and thus ordered the factions to ‘convene an expansive and inclusive national convention of the party.’
Please find attached a CTC of the judgment.”
The NLC’s letter also referenced a ruling from the Federal High Court on July 23, 2021, which ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending further order of the court, indicating that attending the illegal convention would undermine the due administration of justice and respect for the rule of law.
The NLC concluded by warning that failure to comply with the request would result in the institution of contempt proceedings against INEC.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate