Court Dismisses Abure’s Appeal, Affirms Usman as Labour Party Leader

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has dismissed an appeal by Barrister Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, upholding a Federal High Court ruling that affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate national chairman.

The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, rejected Abure’s bid to overturn the January 21, 2026, Federal High Court decision that removed him from office. Justices A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike concurred.

The court found that the Supreme Court had already settled the leadership dispute on April 4, 2025, when it nullified the convention that purportedly returned Abure as national chairman. It agreed with the trial court’s authority under Section 251 of the Constitution to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator Usman as the party’s leader.

The appellate justices also validated the appointment of a Caretaker Committee headed by Usman as a necessary measure to fill a leadership vacuum within the party. They criticised Abure for what they described as an abuse of court process, including attempts to litigate the same issue in a Nasarawa State High Court after the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The court dismissed the appeal as lacking merit and imposed a ₦10 million cost against Abure for wasting judicial time on a matter already conclusively determined.

Reacting to the judgment, Senator Nenadi Usman described it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. She commended the judiciary for upholding justice despite efforts to undermine its integrity and thanked party members for their patience and loyalty during the leadership dispute.

Senator Usman urged all stakeholders to focus on the party’s forthcoming congresses and national convention, reiterating the Labour Party’s commitment to democratic principles as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.