NEWS
Court of Appeal Delivers Final Blow to Abure’s Leadership Bid, Affirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Head, Imposes ₦10m Cost
The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party has taken a decisive legal turn as the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja delivered a unanimous judgment dismissing the appeal filed by Julius Abure, effectively ending his bid to reclaim the party’s national chairmanship.
In a judgment delivered by a three-member panel of Justices, led by Oyejoju Oyewumi and supported by A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, the appellate court upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had recognised Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party.
The ruling marks the culmination of a prolonged legal dispute that had its roots in an earlier decision delivered on January 21, 2026, by Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court. In that judgment, the court reaffirmed the position of the Supreme Court, which had previously nullified the convention that returned Abure as National Chairman and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the rightful leader of the party.
Unyielding, Abure had approached the appellate court in suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/255/2026, seeking to overturn the lower court’s decision. However, the Court of Appeal found no merit in his arguments, ruling that the leadership question within the Labour Party had already been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court as far back as April 4, 2025.
The appellate court further held that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional powers under Section 251 by compelling INEC, a statutory federal agency, to perform its duty in recognising the legitimate leadership of the party.
In addition, the court validated the establishment of the Labour Party’s Caretaker Committee under Usman, describing it as a necessary intervention to fill a leadership vacuum and ensure continuity within the party’s structure.
The judgment also came with stern criticism of Abure’s conduct throughout the legal battle. The Justices condemned his actions as an abuse of court process, citing his attempt to relitigate the matter at a Nasarawa State High Court despite an existing Supreme Court decision. The court described his persistence in claiming leadership as a disregard for the authority of the apex court.
Declaring the appeal entirely lacking in merit, the court not only dismissed it but also imposed a cost of ten million naira against Abure for wasting judicial time on a matter already settled.
Reacting to the landmark ruling, Senator Nenadi Usman hailed the decision as a triumph for democracy and the rule of law. She praised the judiciary for demonstrating courage and integrity in upholding justice despite pressures and attempts to undermine its authority.
She also expressed appreciation to party members and supporters nationwide for their patience and loyalty during the period of uncertainty, urging them to remain committed as the party prepares for its forthcoming congresses and national convention.
The Labour Party leadership further acknowledged the role of the media in maintaining professionalism and objectivity throughout the crisis, while calling on Nigerians to sustain their confidence in the party as it intensifies preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.