Appeal Court Confirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Leader, Dismisses Abure’s Suit

Appeal Court Confirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Leader, Dismisses Abure’s Suit

The Court of Appeal has affirmed Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party, bringing to a close a protracted leadership crisis that has unsettled the party for months.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure, describing it as lacking merit. The court upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which recognised Usman as the party’s leader.

The case stemmed from Abure’s challenge to a January 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had reaffirmed the position earlier taken by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The apex court had nullified the Labour Party convention that returned Abure as National Chairman, effectively invalidating his claim to the position.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi held that the matter had already been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court, stressing that there was no legal basis to reopen the issue. The panel unanimously agreed that the appeal lacked substance.

The appellate court also upheld the directive compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the party’s leader, ruling that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional authority in mandating the electoral body to perform its statutory duties.

On the question of party leadership, the court endorsed the caretaker committee headed by Usman, describing it as a necessary and pragmatic measure to address the leadership vacuum within the party at the time.

The judges further criticised Abure for what they termed an abuse of court process, accusing him of forum shopping by pursuing the same matter in different courts despite a clear and binding decision from the Supreme Court. They held that his continued claim to the leadership position was in defiance of an already settled legal position.

Consequently, the court dismissed the appeal in its entirety and imposed a cost of N10 million against Abure, describing the suit as a waste of judicial time.

Reacting to the judgment, Usman hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, commending the judiciary for its firmness. She expressed appreciation to party members and supporters for their patience during the crisis and called on stakeholders to unite in rebuilding the party ahead of its forthcoming congresses and national convention.

The Labour Party leadership also urged Nigerians to continue supporting the party as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

 

Appeal Court Confirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Leader, Dismisses Abure’s Suit