The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has dismissed the appeal filed by Barrister Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming earlier court decisions that recognised Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate leader.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel of Justices, the appellate court upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court, which had reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s earlier decision removing Abure as National Chairman.
The appellate judgment, delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, with Justices A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike concurring, held that the Supreme Court had conclusively settled the leadership dispute on April 4, 2025, when it nullified the convention that returned Abure as chairman.
The court agreed with the lower court that it had the constitutional authority under Section 251 to compel a federal agency such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to perform its statutory duties. This included directing INEC to recognise Senator Nenadi Usman as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
It also upheld the legality of the party’s caretaker committee led by Usman, describing it as a doctrine of necessity put in place to provide leadership during a vacuum within the party.
The justices criticised Abure for what they described as an abuse of judicial process, noting that he had engaged in forum shopping by seeking relief from a Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already determined by the Supreme Court.
The court further held that the appeal lacked merit and constituted a misuse of court processes.
Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and a cost of ₦10 million was awarded against Abure for wasting judicial time on an issue that had already been conclusively resolved.
Reacting to the judgment, the 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 upholding justice despite attempts to undermine its integrity and thanked party members and supporters for their patience and loyalty during the leadership crisis.
Usman urged stakeholders to remain focused on the party’s forthcoming congresses and national convention as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party also appreciated the media for what it described as professional and objective coverage of the dispute.
Godfrey Eshiomoghie
