| Julius Abure | |
| Office1: | National Chairman of the Labour Party |
| Term Start1: | 2021 |
| Predecessor1: | Abdukadir Abdulsalam |
| Birth Date: | 24 June 1971 |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Party: | Labour Party |
Julius Abure (born 24 June 1971)[1] is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who serves as the National Chairman Labour Party (LP).Abure was previously the National Secretary of the Labour Party and also worked at the Edo State Reform Commission.[2]
Abure became the chairman of the Nigerian political party, Labour Party following the death of his predecessor Abdukadir Abdulsalam. He was elected by the Labour Party National Executive Council (NEC) in 2021, as he was the National Secretary of the party at the time.[3]
However, his chairmanship has been challenged by some party members, especially Lamidi Apapa, the suspended deputy national chairman, who claimed to have removed Abure through a court order.
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has recently affirmed Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party, dismissing the appeal filed by Lucky Shaibu, a party member who supported Apapa.[4] [5]
Abure has also received the backing of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, who have both recognized him as the legitimate leader of the party.[6]
On February 21, 2024, he was arrested by the Edo State Police Command on allegations of attempted murder, among other alleged infractions.[7] [8] The arrest followed a petition by the LP Youth Leader Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia, who claimed that Abure orchestrated a violent attack on him and his colleague in December 2023.[9] He was released on 22 February, 2024.[10] [11] [12]
He is also facing allegations of embezzlement of N3 billion belonging to the party, which was laid by the suspended National Treasurer of the party, Oluchi Opara.[13] Julius was also accused of trying to disrupt the party's gubernatorial primaries in Edo State, which was scheduled to hold on Friday, February 23, 2024. Amongst all, He has been criticized by some party members for his autocratic style of leadership and lack of transparency in the party's affairs.