The Labour Party has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services over the alleged sale of nomination forms by the party’s former National Chairman, Julius Abure.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday during the screening of aspirants ahead of the party primaries, Labour Party National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, described the move as illegal and misleading.
According to her, copies of the petitions sent to the police and the DSS were also forwarded to Independent National Electoral Commission.
Usman argued that the leadership produced at the party’s convention in Umuahia remains the only recognised leadership of the party, insisting that Abure no longer has the authority to issue nomination forms.
She said the party was shocked by reports that Abure was still distributing forms despite a court ruling which, according to her, ended his tenure.
“We held a national convention in Umuahia after the court ruling and elected new leaders. INEC monitored the process and recognised the outcome. The names currently on INEC’s website are those elected at the convention,” she said.
Usman also said the party had not been officially served with any notice regarding Abure’s reported appeal at the Supreme Court, adding that she believes the apex court would maintain its earlier position on the leadership dispute.
She accused some individuals of deceiving aspirants with unauthorised nomination forms, revealing that one aspirant approached her with documents that did not originate from the party’s recognised leadership.
The Labour Party chairman, however, expressed confidence in the strength of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, pointing to the growing number of aspirants seeking to contest on its platform.
She disclosed that three aspirants had already purchased the party’s presidential nomination forms but stressed that the ticket had been zoned to the South.
According to her, northern aspirants interested in the presidential race should not bother purchasing forms because the party had already taken a decision on zoning.
Usman said the party was considering adopting a consensus arrangement but assured members that the screening and primary process would be transparent and credible.
She also expressed confidence that Nigerians would make the right choice in 2027, insisting that political power ultimately belongs to God and the people.
