By CHIDI MATTHEW NWACHUKWU

The Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, has described as both laughable and insulting Julius Abure and his clique's continued parading of themselves as Labour Party leaders despite lacking the legal standing, moral credibility, and institutional backing to do so.

Usman reaffirmed that the Labour Party belongs to the people and not to some cabals whose sole aim is to destroy it.

In her post on X (formerly Twitter) titled, "RE: INEC’S Clarification On Leadership status of the Labour Party," Usman emphasized that Abure's tenure and legitimacy have long expired, and that no amount of manipulation or media propaganda can resurrect a dead mandate.

She reaffirmed the party's commitment to integrity, transparency, and the rule of law.

The development followed INEC's clarification that it had neither pronounced nor restored Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party just after the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and five other members of the party.

Usman called on party members, the civil society, and the general public to disregard Abure's claims, describing them as "fake news."

Her post reads, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, has today publicly clarified that it has neither pronounced nor restored Mr. Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

"This unambiguous disclaimer, issued in real-time and without delay, goes to the very heart of the matter and exposes the falsehoods and desperation that have continued to emanate from Mr. Abure and his collaborators.

“We state emphatically and without equivocation: Mr. Julius Abure is the former National Chairman of the Labour Party. His tenure and legitimacy have long since expired, and no amount of manipulation, media propaganda, or unauthorized press briefings can resurrect a dead mandate.

“It is both laughable and insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians and party faithfuls that Mr. Abure and his clique continue to parade themselves as party leadership despite lacking legal standing, moral credibility, and institutional backing. The Labour Party is not a personal enterprise; it is a vehicle of democratic ideals, built and sustained by the collective will of the people.

“We therefore reject in totality the fake news being peddled by Mr. Abure and his self-serving circle. We equally call on all members of the party, civil society, and the general public to disregard such misinformation and stand with truth and justice.

“As the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, I reaffirm our commitment remains rooted in integrity, transparency, and the rule of law, not in brigandage or media stunts.

“Let it be known: the era of impunity is over. The Labour Party belongs to the people, not to a cabal.”