Labour Party petitions police, DSS over alleged illegal distribution of nomination forms

The Labour Party has formally requested the Inspector‑General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) investigate the alleged illegal distribution of nomination forms by former national chairman Julius Abure.

National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman made the claim during a conversation with reporters at the party’s primaries screening event in Abuja on Thursday.

Usman added that copies of the petitions sent to the IGP and the DSS were also forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

She described the distribution as unlawful and reaffirmed that the leadership elected at the party’s Umuahia convention remains the legitimate one.

“We received the news surprisingly. It was a big surprise because after the court said his (Abure’s) tenure was over, we went to Umuahia, held a national convention and elected new leaders,” she said. “INEC was there and recognised what we did. The names on INEC’s website are those voted for in Umuahia, and then he comes and starts distributing forms,” she added.

When asked whether the party had received any notice regarding Abure’s alleged appeal to the Supreme Court, Usman said the party had not yet been served with such a notice.

She expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would likely uphold its earlier ruling on the leadership dispute. “My take is that the Supreme Court will maintain its stand. If a court says my tenure is over tomorrow, I cannot go back to say it is not over,” she said.

Usman also alleged that some aspirants were misled into purchasing unauthorised forms. “One man came here to tell me his wife was contesting, and when I looked at the form, it was not the form we issued. They are deceiving people and it is not right at all,” she said.

Discussing preparations for the 2027 elections, Usman expressed confidence in the party’s strength, citing the number of aspirants interested in contesting on its platform. “Judging from the number of people indicating interest in using the party as a platform to contest the election, I think the party is still strong,” she said.

The national chairman disclosed that three aspirants had so far purchased presidential nomination forms.

Usman reiterated the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South. “We have decided that our next candidate or flag bearer should come from the South. Anybody from the North who wants to buy forms should not even bother,” she said.