A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must recognize Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party (LP). The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, relied on a Supreme Court verdict from April 4, 2025, to uphold Usman’s leadership and remove Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman.
The court ordered INEC to immediately recognize the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the sole authority to represent the Labour Party until a national convention is held. This decision follows a suit filed by Usman, with Abure and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) listed as defendants.
According to Justice Lifu, the evidence presented established that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had expired, and the party could not be left without leadership. The court rejected Abure’s argument that the dispute was an internal party matter and therefore not subject to judicial review. Instead, it held that the constitution of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee was necessary, following the Supreme Court’s decision.
The judge noted that all questions raised by Usman were answered in her favor, and that any alternative decision would be contrary to the Supreme Court’s ruling. Consequently, the court affirmed Abure’s removal as National Chairman and ordered INEC to recognize the Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the party’s lawful leadership.
The leadership crisis in the Labour Party began after the National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to remove Abure as National Chairman. A 29-member caretaker committee, chaired by Usman, was subsequently constituted to address the leadership vacuum. The decision was made at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting hosted by Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and chaired by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Abure had approached the Federal High Court to validate his position as National Chairman, citing his election as Acting National Chairman in 2021 and his subsequent election as National Chairman in 2024. However, the Supreme Court ultimately set aside the judgments of the lower courts, which had upheld Abure’s claims, paving the way for the current ruling.
The court’s decision is significant, as it resolves the leadership dispute within the Labour Party and provides clarity on the party’s representation. The recognition of the Usman-led Caretaker Committee by INEC will likely have implications for the party’s future activities and elections.
