The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has delivered a landmark judgment that has reshaped the leadership structure of the Labour Party (LP), formally removing Barrister Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Senator Nenadi Usman–led executive as the legitimate leadership of the party.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Peter Lifu, brings to a decisive close months of intense legal and political battles that have fractured the opposition party and generated conflicting claims to its national leadership. The court held that Abure’s tenure had elapsed and that he no longer had the legal standing to function as national chairman.
In a clear directive, the court ordered INEC to immediately update its records and accord official recognition to the National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party chaired by former Minister of Finance and Senator, Nenadi Usman, pending the conduct of a properly constituted national convention.
Justice Lifu anchored his decision on the April 4, 2025 judgment of the Supreme Court, which nullified earlier rulings that had validated Abure’s continued stay in office. The apex court had ruled that party leadership must strictly comply with constitutional provisions and that no individual could remain in office beyond the tenure prescribed by the party’s constitution.
The Federal High Court agreed with the Supreme Court’s position, holding that all actions taken by Abure after the expiration of his tenure lacked legal backing and could not bind the Labour Party or its stakeholders.
The Nenadi Usman–led caretaker committee was constituted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) following a prolonged internal crisis, with the mandate to stabilise the party, reconcile aggrieved factions, and organise a national convention to elect substantive officers.
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The leadership crisis within the Labour Party had deepened after the 2023 general elections, with multiple court cases, parallel party structures, and disagreements among key stakeholders over the control of the party’s machinery and the authority to nominate candidates.
With the court’s order now in force, INEC is legally compelled to deal exclusively with the Nenadi Usman–led executive on all official matters, including party administration, correspondence, and future electoral activities.
Political observers say the judgment could mark a turning point for the Labour Party, offering a pathway to internal stability and renewed focus as the party prepares for future elections amid Nigeria’s highly competitive political landscape.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no immediate reaction from Julius Abure or his supporters, while leaders of the Nenadi Usman–led faction have welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for the rule of law and internal democracy within the Labour Party.
