In a bold declaration to usher in the new year, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, has positioned his party as the foremost and most credible alternative for achieving a prosperous Nigeria. He made this assertion in his New Year message delivered on Wednesday, January 1, 2026.
Overcoming Internal Crises and Legal Victory
Reflecting on the past year, Abure described 2025 as a "spectacular year filled with mixed feelings." He highlighted that the party successfully navigated through significant internal distractions and leadership disputes. A pivotal moment came on April 4, 2025, when the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling. The apex court affirmed that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters to be resolved through their own mechanisms, barring court interference.
"Since April 4, when the Supreme Court ruled that leadership disputes are matters for the party to resolve through their internal resolution mechanism, the Labour Party leadership has since reasserted itself," Abure stated in a personally signed statement seen by The Guardian.
The chairman expressed gratitude to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognizing this Supreme Court judgement and resuming official dealings with his leadership. He pointed to positive developments in Ekiti and Osun states where Labour Party candidates have had their rights acknowledged by INEC as evidence of this restored relationship.
Preparations for the 2027 General Elections
Looking ahead to the crucial 2027 general elections, Abure confirmed significant preparatory strides. He announced that the party has successfully conducted congresses across the federation, with a notable exception in Abia State, where a court injunction has temporarily halted proceedings.
While acknowledging that the party witnessed some defections during its period of crisis, Abure emphasized a countervailing trend of growth. "The leadership of the party also welcomed new members in their numbers resulting from our revalidation exercise and new membership drive," he said. He framed 2026 as a "remarkable" preparatory year, where Nigerians will begin the constitutional process of recruiting new leadership across all levels.
Coalition Politics and a Critique of Betrayal
Abure used his message to issue a stern warning about emerging political coalitions, dismissing rival alliances as groups of familiar faces. "Nigeria should not expect so much from the coalition of looters and plunderers of the nation’s treasury. It is like having an old wine in a new bottle," he argued. He insisted that the only coalition Nigeria needs is one with the poor, market women, civil servants, farmers, and students—a coalition he claims already exists within the Labour Party.
In a pointed critique, Abure also took aim at the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of betrayal and inconsistency. He recalled that in 2022/2023, the candidate had joined the Labour Party and described his current political allies as "irresponsible, fraudulent, rascals and incompetent," even stating that Atiku Abubakar was too old for the presidency. "Today, he has found nothing wrong to be in a cohort with these men," Abure stated, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy.
Concluding his address, Abure reaffirmed the party's core message. "We need men who can build our institutions and develop them to withstand dictatorial tendencies. We don’t need men who are self-centred and who can compromise integrity and dignity for personal ambition. Labour Party remains the only alternative," he declared, solidifying the party's stance as it gears up for the next electoral cycle.
