INEC turns down LP caretaker’s move to dissolve state leadership
The Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected a move by the Labour Party’s caretaker leadership to dissolve state executive committees earlier inaugurated by the ousted National Chairman, Julius Abure.
The rejection was contained in a memo dated February 16, 2026, in response to a notification by the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee of the party, informing the commission that it had replaced the state executive committees in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with interim leaders.
A copy of the letter, sighted by our correspondent, indicated that the commission declined the request, noting that the caretaker committee lacked the power to dissolve the existing structures without providing statutory notice and acting within the party’s constitution.
The leaked memo, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was referenced INEC/DEPM/LP/283/IV/36 and addressed to the caretaker chairman of the party.
It was titled: “Re: Notification of the dissolution of all State, LGA, Ward Executives and Constitution of Interim State Working Committees of the Labour Party across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.”
The memo read, “Your letter on the above subject dated 6th February 2026 and received on 10th February 2026 refers.
“The commission regrets to inform you that the dissolution of State, Local Government and Ward Executives of your Party in all the 36 States and FCT by the National Executive Council without giving the Statutory Notice of the meeting to the Commission and without the authority to act in your Party Constitution cannot be acceded to. Accept the assurances of the Commission’s high regard.”
Reacting to the development, Usman dismissed concerns raised over the memo, describing it as an old document whose issues had already been resolved.
The LP interim chair disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ken Asogwa.
She also urged the public, particularly the media, to disregard the document, insisting that the party leadership had already addressed the concerns raised by the electoral body.
“This is an old letter written on 16th February, and it is instructive to note that all the concerns raised by INEC in the said letter have been taken care of by the national leadership of the party.
“The people trying to regurgitate the old letter are some disgruntled and erstwhile members of the party clutching at every available straw in their desperate last-ditch effort to cause mischief.
“The media and the general public are enjoined to disregard their antics,” she said.
The development is the latest twist in the prolonged leadership dispute that has split the Labour Party into rival factions since the 2023 general elections.
The former National Working Committee, headed by Abure, had, between December 2 and 6, 2025, conducted elective state congresses where party executives emerged at different levels across the country.
However, the Supreme Court, in its judgment dated April 4, 2025, declared that Abure’s tenure had expired before the congresses were conducted.
Last month, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had elapsed and ordered INEC to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.
The ruling followed months of internal disputes, multiple court cases, and parallel leadership claims that escalated after the 2023 general elections.
While the faction backed by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, welcomed the judgment and called for reconciliation, Abure rejected the verdict and warned INEC against recognising the caretaker committee.
INEC later complied with the court order and recognised Usman as acting National Chairman of the party.
About three weeks ago, Abure’s name was also replaced with Usman’s on the commission’s website.
