Julius Abure returns as Labour Party national chairman despite corruption allegations

The Labour Party has re-elected Julius Abure as its National Chairman for a second term following a unanimous affirmation of delegates despite the corruption allegations.

The re-election which took place on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, was announced by the Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechuckwu Emetu in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Abure’s latest victory comes amid heavy criticism of his leadership style.

Recall that the suspended National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Oluchi Opara, had called for an audit of the party’s finances as she alleged Abure used party finances to acquire properties in Nigeria and overseas between 2022 and 2023.

Although Opara was suspended in February, she wrote in a memo that Abure must account for the "N958 million raised from off-cycle elections in 2023, provide paper trails and documentary evidence of adherence to due process."

She further said that the party's national chairman must "declare every single dollar raised from the 2023 US fundraising tour and provide documentation on where donations were warehoused and how the same was appropriated."

The Nigerian Labour Congress on their part, also called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organise a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.

On Monday, March 25, 2024, the Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists' Assembly called for the immediate arrest and trial of Abure.

According to Comrade Isah Tijjani, Veteran Labour Leader and Former Vice President, NLC, the trial and conviction of Abure will serve as a lesson to aspiring young politicians.

He said this during a press conference in Abuja on Monday as he called for the removal of Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC.