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A significant leadership rift within the Labour Party has been resolved as the Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Julius Abure from his position as National Chairman.
On Wednesday, Justice Peter Lifu issued the verdict, drawing on a previous Supreme Court decision to establish a new leadership for the party.
Court Declares Nenadi Usman Valid Leader
The ruling identified former Finance Minister, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, as the legitimate head of the Labour Party.
This decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025, ruling, which had already determined the leadership conflict in favor of the Usman-led Caretaker Committee.
INEC Ordered to Recognise Caretaker Committee
In light of the verdict, the court instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly acknowledge the leadership of the Usman-led Caretaker Committee.
The court described the committee as the only lawful authority to represent the Labour Party until a national convention is held.
Abure’s Tenure Declared Expired
Justice Lifu held that evidence before the court clearly showed that Julius Abure’s tenure as national chairman had already elapsed.
He dismissed Abure’s argument that the matter was an internal party issue beyond judicial review, stating that the intervention of the court was necessary.
Caretaker Committee Termed a Necessity
According to the judge, the establishment of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee was a necessity arising from the Supreme Court’s directive.
He added that the party was required to comply strictly with the apex court’s order to restore internal order.
Background to the Leadership Crisis
The leadership crisis within the Labour Party led the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to remove Abure from office.
To address the vacuum, a 29-member caretaker committee was formed, with Senator Nenadi Usman appointed as chairman.
Umuahia Meeting and Peter Obi’s Role
The decision to sack Abure was taken during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State.
The meeting was hosted by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and chaired by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was once Abure’s ally.
Abure’s Legal Challenge
Dissatisfied with his removal, Abure approached the Federal High Court seeking validation of his position as national chairman.
He argued that he was elected acting chairman in 2021 and later emerged as substantive chairman at the party’s national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, in March 2024.
Supreme Court Overturns Earlier Rulings
Although the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal initially ruled in Abure’s favour, those decisions were later overturned by the Supreme Court.
In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro, the apex court upheld the appeal filed by Usman and the Caretaker Committee’s Secretary, Darlington Nwokocha.
Supreme Court Issues Warning to Parties
The Supreme Court also dismissed Abure’s cross-appeal and warned political parties to strictly follow their constitutions.
It urged party officials whose tenures have expired to vacate office in line with party rules and democratic principles.