The Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Julius Abure as national chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Nenadi Usman as the party’s lawful leader. This ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, cites a Supreme Court decision from April 2025 that upholds Usman’s leadership and the legitimacy of the party’s caretaker committee.
Justice Lifu stated that the evidence indicated that Abure’s tenure had expired and highlighted the necessity of leadership continuity within the party. The court’s decision arose from a suit filed by Usman, which listed Abure and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) as defendants.
Usman’s caretaker committee was established following a National Executive Committee meeting hosted by Governor Alex Otti. In light of the ruling, Abure’s faction has signaled intentions to appeal, alleging misinterpretation of previous court rulings regarding political party leadership.
Obiora Ifoh, the party’s national publicity secretary, contended that Usman is not a registered member of the Labour Party and criticized the court’s conclusions, claiming they contradict the Supreme Court’s stance on party leadership being an internal affair.
Despite the turmoil, the party urged its members to remain calm and reaffirmed its commitment to seek justice through legal means, insisting that the leadership is not for sale.
