Edo LP senator supports Supreme Court’s ruling on Abure’s removal as party’s chair

The senator for Edo South, Neda Imasuen, has expressed support for the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that dismissed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Imasuen, speaking to reporters in Benin on Saturday, described the developments within the Labour Party following the 2023 elections as unfortunate.

He noted that under Abure’s leadership, the party had increasingly become more about personal interests rather than the collective good of the party.

He said Abure’s involvement in legal battles, dragging the party in and out of court, had disrupted the party’s unity. With the Supreme Court’s decision now final, he believes the Labour Party can finally move toward peace.

“I sincerely welcome the Supreme Court judgement that removed Barrister Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party,” Imasuen said.

He continued, “A lot has gone on in the Labour Party after the 2023 general election, and it is very unfortunate. So, Abure, who was the chairman at the time, in my opinion, really didn’t have the party at heart because it had become a personal thing.”

Imasuen further stated that the infighting had harmed the party, with some factions seemingly more interested in division than preservation. He added, “That sort of thing was not what I expected from someone who led the party at a time. And so he has been dragging the party in and out of court, and now that the Supreme Court has finally sealed it, so be it. It’s a welcome development.”

He also raised concerns about the future of the Labour Party, saying, “But the question for me and for all of us now is, where do we go from here? Someone spoke with me on the matter, and I said, I just hope that it’s not a little too late of what has just come up because the Labour Party is almost decimated. Most of the members have gone. Will this judgement bring them back? I don’t know. Will it energise those who are there now? Again, I don’t know. So, when it’s time, we’ll talk.”

When asked about his potential political future and whether he would join the All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain with the Labour Party for re-election, Imasuen responded, “Why do you say APC? It’s a good question, but whatever decision or direction I take, you’ll be the first one.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday removed Julius Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman. In its unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the Court of Appeal was found to have lacked jurisdiction in its earlier decision that upheld Abure’s position. The apex court ruled that internal party leadership matters are beyond the judiciary’s scope.