The Court of Appeal in Owerri, Imo State, has made a significant ruling that entails the removal of Julius Abure from his position and the official recognition of Lamido Apapa as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

In addition to this, the court has issued a directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), instructing it to promptly acknowledge and release the names of all gubernatorial candidates fielded by the National Working Committee led by Apapa.

This pertains specifically to the states of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi.

Consequently, the court has invalidated the governorship candidacy of Senator Athan Achonu of Imo State and others affiliated with the faction headed by Abure within the Labour Party.

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The basis for these decisions seems to stem from a series of legal disputes and claims over the legitimacy of leadership within the party.

Earlier reports indicate that Apapa had challenged his suspension within the party, asserting that it lacked validity and maintained his rightful status as the acting chairman.

This recent ruling contrasts with a previous Court of Appeal decision in Benin City, Edo State, which upheld Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Preceding these events, a State High Court in Edo dismissed the suspension notice issued against Abure by lower-level party members, with the judge citing a lack of merit in the case.