Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The protracted leadership crisis tearing apart the Labour Party showed no signs of resolution on Tuesday as the factional National Chairman, Julius Abure, rejected a unanimous Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the party's legitimate leader, vowing to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court. The three-member panel of the appellate court in Abuja had earlier dismissed Abure's appeal, described his case as an abuse of judicial process, and imposed a cost of N10 million against him for wasting judicial time on a matter that the apex court had already conclusively determined. The ruling appeared to have settled the lingering dispute, but Abure's defiant reaction has thrown the party back into a state of legal and political uncertainty, just as the opposition party seeks to consolidate its ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, with Justices A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike concurring, the Court of Appeal upheld the earlier decision of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. On January 21, 2026, Justice Lifu had reaffirmed the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, which nullified the convention that returned Abure as National Chairman. The apex court had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party, to the exclusion of all others. The appellate court held that the Supreme Court had already conclusively settled the leadership dispute within the party and that the lower court acted within its constitutional powers when it ordered INEC to comply. The court further justified the constitution of a caretaker committee headed by Usman under the doctrine of necessity, noting that it was needed to fill a leadership vacuum created after Abure's removal.
The appellate court was particularly critical of Abure's legal strategy, accusing him of forum shopping by filing a similar case at a Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already decided by the Supreme Court. Describing his appeal as lacking in merit and an abuse of court process, the three-member panel imposed a cost of N10 million against him. "The appeal is devoid of merit and constitutes an abuse of court process," the court declared. The ruling marked a major setback for Abure's faction, which has been locked in a bitter power struggle with the Usman-led caretaker committee for months. The crisis reached a decisive turning point two months ago when INEC formally recognised the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee as the authentic leadership of the party, acting on the directive of the Federal High Court.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday, Abure rejected the judgment in its entirety, describing it as "unacceptable" and "against all known principles of law." He insisted that the Labour Party's national convention held in Nnewi on March 27, 2024, remained valid and subsisting for a four-year term, arguing that the court failed to properly consider this in reaching its conclusion. "I want to say very clearly that the judgment is against all known principles of law. The courts, including the Supreme Court, have stated that the issue of leadership of a political party is an internal affair," Abure said. He also faulted the Umuahia meeting that produced the caretaker committee, describing it as unconstitutional. "It is only the National Chairman and National Secretary who have the power to convene an NEC meeting," he added. Abure confirmed that his legal team had been instructed to file an appeal at the Supreme Court. "We have put our legal team together and we are going to file an appeal and move to the Supreme Court," he stated.
Senator Nenadi Usman, however, welcomed the Court of Appeal's ruling, describing it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. In a statement by her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Eluma Asogwa, Usman commended the judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in upholding justice, despite what she described as attempts by certain individuals to undermine its integrity. "The court has spoken, and we accept its decision in good faith," Usman was quoted as saying. She expressed gratitude to party faithful and supporters across the country for their patience and loyalty during the period of uncertainty and urged all stakeholders to remain focused on the party's forthcoming congresses and national convention as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Labour Party has been embroiled in a bitter leadership dispute since the 2023 general elections, with two factions laying claim to the party's structure. Abure has maintained that his leadership remains valid, arguing that the Nnewi convention was conducted in line with the party's constitution. The Usman-led caretaker committee, however, has gained the recognition of INEC and the backing of the judiciary at both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. With Abure now heading to the Supreme Court, the legal battle is set to continue, further delaying the party's efforts to present a united front. Political analysts warn that the prolonged crisis could weaken the Labour Party's chances in the 2027 elections, especially as the opposition seeks to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress. For now, the party remains divided, and the Supreme Court's final pronouncement will be eagerly awaited by all stakeholders.
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