Politics
BREAKING: Court of Appeal sacks Abure, upholds Nenadi Usman as Labour Party leader
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party, effectively bringing an end to the prolonged leadership dispute within the party.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Barrister Julius Abure, describing it as lacking merit.
The court upheld the earlier decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had recognised Usman as the party’s leader.
The ruling followed Abure’s challenge to the January 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court, which reaffirmed the position of the Supreme Court that had earlier nullified the Labour Party convention that produced him as National Chairman.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi held that the matter had already been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court and could not be reopened.
The appellate court also upheld the directive ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the party’s leader, ruling that the lower court acted within its constitutional powers.
On the issue of party administration, the judges noted that the caretaker committee led by Usman was a necessary intervention to fill the leadership vacuum within the party at the time.
The panel criticised Abure for abuse of court process, accusing him of engaging in forum shopping by approaching different courts on a matter already settled by the apex court. It further held that his continued claim to leadership was in defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The court described the appeal as a waste of judicial time and imposed a fine of N10 million against Abure.
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Nenadi Usman described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, commending the judiciary for its firmness and independence.
She thanked party members and supporters for their patience during the crisis and urged stakeholders to focus on rebuilding the party ahead of upcoming congresses and the national convention.
The Labour Party leadership also called on Nigerians to continue supporting the party as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
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