Follow Us on Google
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal concerning the party’s leadership dispute, describing it as unacceptable and against all known principles of law.
A Federal High Court, Abuja, had earlier in the year ruled in favour of Senator Nenadi Usman as authentic caretaker committee chairman of the party, which prompted Abure to approach the court of appeal.
Abure said the decision did not reflect the position of the party, insisting that the issue of political party leadership remains an internal affairs that courts have historically been reluctant to interfere in.
He argued that the court failed to properly consider the validity of the party’s national convention held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, which he maintained remains valid and subsisting for a four-year tenure.
According to him, claims that the current executive’s tenure had expired were false and unacceptable, adding that the convention remains the legitimate basis for the party’s leadership structure.
Abure also faulted the Umuahia meeting that produced a caretaker committee, describing it as unconstitutional.
He maintained that only the National Chairman and National Secretary have the authority to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Rejecting the ruling in its entirety, Abure confirmed that the party had resolved to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.
“We have put our legal team together and we are going to file an appeal and move to the Supreme Court,” he said.
Other News
On January 21, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, reaffirmed the earlier judgement of the Supreme Court that removed Abure as national chairman of LP and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party, to the exclusion of all others.
Dissatisfied with that decision, Abure approached the Court of Appeal in suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/255/2026 – Julius Abure & Anor v. Sen. Nenadi Esther Usman & 3 Ors, seeking to overturn the judgment of the lower court.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, with Justices A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike concurring, the appellate court affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court. The court held that the Supreme Court had, on April 4, 2025, conclusively settled the leadership dispute within the Labour Party when it nullified the convention that purportedly returned Abure as national chairman.
The appeal court agreed with the trial court that the court below had the powers under Section 251 of the Constitution to compel a statutory Federal Government agency to perform its functions when it ordered the INEC to recognise Senator Nenadi Usman as the national chairman of the Labour Party. The appeal court also agreed with the trial court that the constitution of the Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party headed by Usman was a doctrine of necessity needed to provide leadership in the party when there seemed to be a vacuum in the party.
The justices criticised Abure for abuse of court process and for going on forum shopping in a Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already decided by the Supreme Court and for persisting in laying claim to the leadership of the party despite the clear and unambiguous pronouncement of the apex court. The court further held that the appeal was devoid of merit and constituted an abuse of court process.
Consequently, the court, while dismissing the appeal by Abure, imposed a cost of N10,000,000 against him for wasting judicial time on a matter that had already been conclusively determined.
Reacting, Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. She commended the judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in upholding justice despite attempts by certain elements to undermine its integrity.
Senator Usman also expressed gratitude to party faithful and supporters across the country for their patience, loyalty and unwavering commitment during the period of uncertainty. She urged all stakeholders to remain focused on the party’s forthcoming congresses and national convention.
The party further appreciates members of the media for their professionalism and objective reporting and calls on Nigerians to continue to place their trust in the LP as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
