PeterObi: ‎S'Court Order Stop Dealing With Abure But INEC Was Prevaricated Because Target Was To Stop Obi—Umeh

‎In an interview with Daily Independent on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of failing to fully obey a Supreme Court ruling concerning the leadership of the Labour Party, stating that the situation weakened internal democracy and deepened the crisis within the party.

‎According to Umeh, the Supreme Court, which he described as the highest court in the land, ruled that INEC should stop dealing with Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party and explained that the judgment was clear and final, leaving no room for further interpretation.

‎However, Umeh alleged that INEC delayed and acted inconsistently despite the court order, he said the electoral body continued to relate with Abure for a long period after the judgment, a move he described as prevarication.

‎He noted that this action created confusion among party members and worsened divisions within the party.

‎The senator claimed that Abure relied on support from powerful individuals to maintain his position against the wishes of many members, he said this external backing allowed Abure to remain influential within the party structure, even when his tenure had expired and the court had ruled against his recognition.

‎Umeh further alleged that the prolonged leadership crisis was not accidental and stated that the situation was designed to weaken the Labour Party ahead of future elections.

‎According to him, the ultimate goal was to prevent Peter Obi from securing the party’s presidential ticket.

‎"The highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, ordered that INEC should stop dealing with Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party. But INEC was prevaricated because the target was to stop Peter Obi from flying the ticket of the Labour Party," he said.