Court affirms Abure’s sack as LP National Chairman, recognises Nenadi Usman’s leadership

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, removed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), ending months of leadership tussle within the opposition party.

In a judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court relied on the April 4, 2025 verdict of the Supreme Court to affirm former Minister of Finance, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, as the valid leader of the party.

Justice Lifu consequently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately recognise the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the only legitimate authority to act on behalf of the Labour Party, pending the conduct of a national convention.

The decision followed a suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/2262/2025, instituted by Senator Usman. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Abure were listed as defendants in the case.

The court held that evidence before it clearly showed that Abure’s tenure had elapsed, dismissing his argument that the dispute was an internal party affair beyond judicial intervention.

Justice Lifu ruled that the caretaker committee was lawfully constituted, describing it as a “necessity” arising from the Supreme Court’s directive.

Background to the Crisis

The Labour Party had been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis after its National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to remove Abure as chairman.

Following an expanded stakeholders’ meeting hosted in Umuahia, Abia State, by Governor Alex Otti, the party constituted a 29-member caretaker committee, chaired by Senator Usman.

The meeting that led to Abure’s removal was chaired by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, a former ally of Abure.

Dissatisfied, Abure approached the Federal High Court to validate his leadership, insisting he was duly elected chairman.

Abure’s Claims Rejected

In his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, Abure argued that he emerged as acting national chairman after the death of the former chairman, following a NEC meeting in Benin City on March 29, 2021.

He further claimed that he was lawfully elected chairman at the party’s national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on March 27, 2024, which he said was monitored by INEC.

While the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal initially ruled in his favour, the Supreme Court overturned both decisions, effectively nullifying his claim to the office.

In its lead judgement delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro, the apex court upheld the appeal filed by Senator Usman and Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, while dismissing Abure’s cross-appeal.

The Supreme Court also warned political parties to strictly adhere to their constitutions, stressing that officials whose tenures have expired must vacate office.