Julius Abure selling nomination forms
 

Nigeria’s security agencies and relevant authorities have been urged  to  restrain Mr. Julius Abure from continuing to parade himself as Labour Party’s National Chairman in defiance of the Supreme Court's decisive judgement which determined Labour Party's, LP authentic leadership.

The constitutional lawyer, Monday Ubani, SAN who proffered the counsel affirmed that "The issue of the leadership of the LP has already been conclusively determined by the courts, culminating in the decision of the Supreme Court, which made it abundantly clear that the tenure of Julius Abure and his executive had since expired

Monday Ubani, SAN 

"The apex court recognized the caretaker leadership that emerged to stabilize the party and restore order. In particular, the leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman was acknowledged as the legitimate authority steering the affairs of the party pending a proper convention" 

Ubani, in an article titled: "The Illegality Of Julius Abure Presenting Candidates For Elections Under The Labour Party" argued that the persistent attempt by Abure to parade himself as the National Chairman of the LP and to recently announce some candidates in his purported primary elections under the platform of the LP has become not only legally indefensible but a direct assault on the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process

"Ordinarily, in a country governed by law, that should have ended the matter.

"However, rather than submit to the finality of judicial pronouncements as demanded by the Constitution and democratic norms, Mr. Abure chose the dangerous route of forum shopping and judicial adventurism. He returned to the trial court in a desperate bid to revive a dead mandate. The courts, both at the trial level and at the Court of Appeal, reportedly made it clear to him that the matter had been settled and that peace should be allowed to reign within the party that the Nenadi Usman-led"

"Once the courts have spoken with finality, every person, no matter how highly placed, is bound to obey," the legal practitioner noted, emphasizing that political parties are not lawless associations operating on personal whims, but institutions strictly regulated by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and party guidelines.

"The persistent defiance raises fundamental questions about political accountability. Nigeria cannot afford to become a laughing stock before the international community due to the reckless conduct of politicians who refuse to accept lawful decisions. If Nigeria's constitutional democracy is to survive, the sanctity of judicial pronouncements must be preserved", Ubani argued

He further maintained that It is considered deeply troubling that Abure, who is a legal practitioner would be associated with conduct that appears to directly undermine settled judicial decisions.

"Lawyers, as ministers in the temple of justice, are strictly expected to uphold the rule of law rather than ridicule it through acts capable of bringing the legal profession into disrepute. The Rules of Professional Conduct impose an absolute duty on lawyers to maintain respect for the courts and the administration of justice. Consequently, this persistent disregard for binding decisions raises serious ethical and disciplinary concerns that appropriate professional bodies may eventually need to examine", he stated

Ubani maintained that Nigeria must move away from an era where political actors treat the law as optional. "Democracy thrives on discipline, order, and respect for institutions.

Moving forward, Mr. Abure must desist from further acts capable of misleading the public, deceiving unsuspecting aspirants, and destabilizing the Labour Party. Any continued attempt to unlawfully parade himself as Chairman or present candidates under an illegal structure may amount to political fraud against innocent party members and a deliberate misrepresentation carrying severe legal consequences.

"Consequently, members of the public, aspirants, and political stakeholders are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid dealing with unauthorized persons or factions whose actions run contrary to established judicial pronouncements. The time has come for all genuine stakeholders to rally around the lawful leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, obey court decisions, and allow peace, order, and internal democracy to flourish within the LP and the nation at large", he affirmed