The Julius Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party has announced its decision to immediately challenge the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory that recognised the Esther Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the party’s legitimate leadership.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Wednesday, relied on the April 4, 2025, decision of the Supreme Court to declare Senator Nenadi Usman as the valid leader of the party.
The judgment also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the caretaker committee pending the conduct of a national convention.
Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party faction loyal to Abure, Obiora Ifoh, described the ruling as inconsistent with the position of the Supreme Court. He argued that the apex court had clearly held that no court has the authority to appoint leaders for a political party and that leadership matters remain internal affairs of such parties.
The party said it was encouraged by the fact that the Federal High Court is not the final court of adjudication and confirmed that it would proceed to the Court of Appeal to ventilate its grievances.
“Although we are yet to see the Certified True Copy of the judgment in order to fully comment on it, our position will become stronger when we do. However, from the brief we have received so far, it is clear that the party will appeal the judgment,” Ifoh stated.
He alleged that the party had earlier suspected the outcome of the case, citing what he described as “red flags” during the proceedings. According to him, the matter was initially assigned to Justice Omotosho before it was withdrawn and reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu after a similar suit was filed.
Ifoh further claimed that the court denied the Abure-led leadership the opportunity to respond to issues raised in a counter-affidavit before adjourning for judgment, while accusing their opponents of celebrating publicly weeks before the ruling was delivered.
He recalled that the Court of Appeal had previously recognised Julius Abure’s National Working Committee as the authentic leadership of the party, a decision that Nenadi Usman challenged at the Supreme Court. According to him, the apex court merely declined jurisdiction on the grounds that leadership disputes are internal party affairs and did not pronounce that Abure’s tenure had expired.
“To us, this is a clear contradiction of what the Supreme Court said. The apex court held that all matters relating to the leadership of a political party are internal affairs of the party, and that has been its consistent position,” he said.
The party also rejected the claim that a leadership vacuum existed, insisting that its tenure did not lapse. It argued that although the executive’s tenure was due to expire in June 2024, a national convention was held on March 27, 2024, before the expiration date, which produced the current leadership.
“It is curious how the court arrived at the conclusion that there was a vacuum in the party’s leadership without examining the validity and legality of the national convention held on March 27, 2024,” Ifoh added.
Despite its objections, the Abure-led group called on party members to remain calm, assuring them that all legal avenues would be explored to seek justice. It also warned that the Labour Party was not for sale and would not relinquish its leadership position due to pressure or financial influence.
What you should know
The Labour Party has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis involving Julius Abure and a caretaker committee led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman.
While lower courts previously ruled in favour of Abure, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, citing lack of jurisdiction.
The latest Federal High Court judgment has reignited the dispute, setting the stage for another legal battle at the Court of Appeal.
