…As the party insists only Utako secretariat can issue valid forms
The Labour Party has warned the public that nomination forms being sold by the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, are illegitimate and hold no legal value.
In a press release issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the Labour Party described Abure’s conduct as an “embarrassing spectacle” and advised unsuspecting aspirants to steer clear of what it called the antics of a “serial political scammer.
“The party’s warning follows a viral photograph showing Abure presenting what he described as nomination forms to a former National Vice Chairman, Ceekay Igara, and other party members in Abia State.But the Labour Party insists that Senator Nenadi Usman remains its recognised National Chairman.
In April 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed Abure’s challenge and affirmed Usman’s leadership, imposing a N10 million fine on Abure for abuse of judicial process.
The appellate court upheld an earlier Federal High Court judgment which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the legitimate leader of the party.
INEC has since complied with the court directives, formally recognising the Usman-led National Working Committee as the authentic leadership of the Labour Party.
The party reiterated that all legitimate nomination forms for elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections can only be obtained through the official National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja.
“Any so-called Labour Party nomination form obtained from Julius Abure or any other unauthorised source is nothing but worthless paper being peddled by political fraudsters,” the statement read.
The party advised the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to desperate individuals masquerading as party officials.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, whom the party recognises as its national leader, has also condemned Abure’s actions.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Ukoha, the governor questioned Abure’s authority to continue parading himself as national chairman after multiple court rulings affirmed Usman as the party’s rightful leader.
“Abure is in a better position to explain the grounds on which he is still parading himself after a Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal ruled that Senator Nenadi Usman was the interim leader of the Labour Party,” Ukoha said.
He added that Abure’s continued impersonation amounts to contempt of court.
However, Ceekay Igara, who confirmed receiving the forms from Abure, defended the action, stating that stakeholders were preparing for pending judicial determinations at the Supreme Court.”If we say Abure should be docile, all the 33 states that conducted congresses will just go into extinction.
If the Supreme Court later gives him the structure and primaries have closed, what happens?” Igara queried.The Labour Party warned that Abure’s continued impersonation of the office of National Chairman constitutes a criminal offence.
“The net is steadily tightening around him, and sooner than later, he will be left to answer for his actions before law enforcement authorities and the courts,” the statement concluded.
The party had earlier released its official timetable for primaries, with nomination fees ranging from N3 million for House of Assembly aspirants to N50 million for presidential hopefuls.
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