Julius Abure | |
|---|---|
| National Chairman of the Labour Party | |
| Assumed office 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Abdukadir Abdulsalam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 24, 1971 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Political party | Labour Party |
Julius Abure (born 24 June 1971)[1] is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who serves as the National Chairman Labour Party (LP). Abure was previously the National Secretary of the Labour Party and also worked at the Edo State Reform Commission.[2]
Career
[edit]Politics
[edit]Abure became the chairman of the Nigerian political party, Labour Party following the death of his predecessor Abdukadir Abdulsalam. He was elected by the Labour Party National Executive Council (NEC) in 2021, as he was the National Secretary of the party at the time.[3]
However, his chairmanship has been challenged by some party members, especially Lamidi Apapa, the suspended deputy national chairman, who claimed to have removed Abure through a court order.[4]
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has recently affirmed Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party, dismissing the appeal filed by Lucky Shaibu, a party member who supported Apapa.[4][5]
Abure has also received the backing of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, who have both recognized him as the legitimate leader of the party.[6]
Controversy
[edit]On February 21, 2024, he was arrested by the Edo State Police Command on allegations of attempted murder, among other alleged infractions.[7][8] The arrest followed a petition by the LP Youth Leader Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia, who claimed that Abure orchestrated a violent attack on him and his colleague in December 2023.[9] He was released on 22 February, 2024.[10][11][12]
He is also facing allegations of embezzlement of N3 billion belonging to the party, which was laid by the suspended National Treasurer of the party, Oluchi Opara.[13] Julius was also accused of trying to disrupt the party's gubernatorial primaries in Edo State, which was scheduled to hold on Friday, February 23, 2024. Amongst all, He has been criticized by some party members for his autocratic style of leadership and lack of transparency in the party's affairs.
References
[edit]- ^ Obiora Ifoh (24 June 2023). "Labour Party Celebrates its National Chairman, Abure at 52". Labour party. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ Adeduyite, Okiki (27 March 2024). "Abure re-elected as LP national chairman". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Appeal court affirms Julius Abure as Labour Party chairman". The Guardian. 15 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Labour Party Gets New National Chairman | The Whistler Newspaper". thewhistler.ng.
- ^ "Julius Abure remains the national chairman of the Labour Party — NLC". 24 May 2023.
- ^ "The Chairman of Labour Party is Barrister Julius Abure — Peter Obi". Business Day.
- ^ Cyrus Ademola (21 February 2024). "Police arrest LP National Chairman, Julius Abure in Edo State".
- ^ "Labour Party's Chairman Abure Arrested In Edo". Channels TV. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ "LP's Abure Arrested For Attempted Murder — Police". Channels TV.
- ^ "JUST IN: Police release Julius Abure — hours after arrest for 'attempted murder'". TheCable. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ Paul Dada (22 February 2024). "Police release Julius Abure on bail". Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ Ochogwu Sunday (22 February 2024). "Labour Party chairman, Abure, others released".
- ^ Patrick Ochoga (21 February 2024). "UPDATED: 48 Hours To Edo LP Gov'ship Primaries, Police Arrest National Chairman Over Petition". Leadership news. Retrieved 22 February 2024.