The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has rejected the ex-parte order issued by Justice M.A. Savage of a Federal High Court, Ikeja Division, restraining the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission from accepting its candidates for the forthcoming local government election in the state.
In a suit marked ID/9334GCM/2025, dated June 5, 2025, and filed by one Mr Oluwasegun Sekonu, the court restrained LASIEC from accepting any nomination forms, candidate lists, or electoral documents from the Abure-led faction, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
However, in a statement issued on Friday by its Lagos State Legal Adviser, Tracy Amadigwe-Dike, the LP faction described the court order as invalid, stating that the “claimant’s action was both an afterthought and legally spent.”
They argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to rule on the matter, as it concerns internal party affairs, adding that Sekonu lacked the legal standing to sue since he is not a registered member of the party.
The statement read partly, “The nomination of candidates is an internal function protected under party autonomy. This is reinforced by the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025 in SC/CV/56/2025, which held that internal party affairs cannot be subjected to court adjudication.
“The claimant, Mr. Oluwasegun Sekonu, is neither a registered financial member, a candidate in the forthcoming LGA election, nor a member of the Lagos State Labour Party Exco, and therefore lacks the locus and authority to initiate such proceedings.
“On jurisdiction, it is pertinent to note that Sekonu’s case is bordered on the Labour Party, its internal affairs, and candidates for the forthcoming LGA elections, which robs the court of the jurisdiction to adjudicate on this matter.”
The Abure faction further stated that the 2024 convention of the party held in Nnewi, and chaired by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, remained valid as it had not been challenged by any court.
While noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission had recognised it as the authentic leadership of the party, the Abure-led faction urged LASIEC to respect democratic principles and the legal autonomy of political parties in electoral matters.
