The leadership dispute within the Labour Party took a decisive turn on Tuesday as the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld Senator Nenadi Usman’s position as the recognised head of the party, effectively rejecting the claim of Barrister Julius Abure.
A three-judge panel of the appellate court unanimously ruled against Abure, describing his appeal as unconvincing and without legal foundation. The court consequently upheld an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court which had affirmed Usman’s leadership status.
The ruling stemmed from Abure’s challenge to a January 2026 decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja. That earlier judgment had reinforced the position of the Supreme Court, which previously invalidated the Labour Party convention that produced Abure as national chairman.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi held that the issues raised had already been settled at the highest judicial level in the country, making further litigation unnecessary.
According to the court, “the matter had been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court,” adding that there was no legal justification to revisit it at the appellate level.
The Court of Appeal also affirmed the directive issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman’s leadership of the party, holding that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional authority in making the order.
On the internal structure of the party, the panel held that the caretaker arrangement associated with Usman was a practical response aimed at addressing a leadership vacuum at the time it was constituted.
The judges were also critical of Abure’s legal approach, accusing him of engaging in what they described as “forum shopping” by repeatedly approaching different courts on a matter already decided by the Supreme Court.
The court said his continued insistence on the chairmanship amounted to disregard for a settled judgment.
Describing the appeal as an unnecessary use of judicial time, the court dismissed the case and imposed a fine of N10 million against Abure.
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Nenadi Usman welcomed the ruling, describing it as a reaffirmation of democratic principles and judicial independence. She commended the judiciary for maintaining firmness in the face of pressure.
Usman also expressed appreciation to party members for their patience throughout the prolonged internal crisis and called for unity ahead of upcoming party congresses and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The Labour Party leadership further urged supporters nationwide to remain committed to strengthening the party as it moves into a new phase of internal restructuring and political mobilisation.
