The Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC) has, again, commended the Supreme Court for nullifying the “illegitimate conventions orchestrated by the defunct Julius Abure-led faction” of the Labour Party (LP), the principal reason for the leadership crisis rocking the party of workers and the masses.
In a press statement issued on Friday – today, May 9 – by its National Coordinator, Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, the LPPMC described the ruling, which upheld the supremacy of the party over its internal affairs, as a victory for democracy and a stern rebuke of political impunity.
Okundaye, a chieftain of the LP in Edo State, assured that his group unequivocally stands in solidarity with the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission, and members of the former National Transition Committee, whose tireless efforts to restore integrity, transparency and accountability to the Labour Party have been vindicated by the judiciary.
Stressing that the LPPMC applauds their dogged commitment to “rescuing the party from the clutches of political bandits who sought to privatize it for personal gain,” Okundaye said: “The LPPMC welcomes the swift clarification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 8, 2025, debunking false media reports alleging recognition of unauthorized individuals as Labour Party leaders. INEC’s statement, signed by Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, reaffirmed that ‘the Commission has not made any decision in respect of the LP’ and emphasized its commitment to studying the Supreme Court’s judgment before taking lawful action.
“We urge INEC to maintain this bold, impartial stance. Democracy thrives when institutions courageously ‘call a spade a spade,’ rejecting undue influence and upholding constitutional mandates.”
The group called on the INEC to expedite its review process and formally recognize the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate interim leadership of the Labour Party, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Taking umbrage at what he described as “the desperate antics of the defunct Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), whose tenure expired on June 8, 2024,” Okundaye slammed the Abure group for their recent attempt to suspend duly elected officials like Governor Alex Otti and Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha, writing their move off as “a laughable charade and a dead lion’s growl that holds no legitimacy.”
In a similar development, the party also frowned at the alleged plot by President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC to impose a one-party state or sabotage the coalition of progressive forces ahead of the 2027 elections.
Calling on “all patriotic” Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community to reject any attempts to impose a one-party state on Nigeria, the LPPMC urged support for the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Committee as it strives to audit Labour Party’s finances and expose years of corruption under the Abure faction.
The group also urged the INEC to act decisively in recognizing lawful leadership and delisting impostors from its portals, warning against anti-democratic coalitions that prioritize personal interests over national liberation.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport; it demands vigilance, courage, and collective action,” the statement surmised.
