The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure, challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, bringing fresh clarity to the party’s prolonged internal crisis.
The appellate court, sitting as a three-member panel, upheld the earlier ruling that removed Abure as National Chairman and affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the recognised leader of the party.
The dispute traces back to a January 21 judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, who reaffirmed a Supreme Court decision that sacked Abure from office.
The lower court had also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Abure approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the decision.
However, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, the appellate court affirmed the Federal High Court’s position in its entirety.
The court held that the Supreme Court had already resolved the leadership tussle on April 4, 2025, when it nullified the convention that returned Abure as National Chairman.
It further agreed that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional powers under Section 251 when it ordered INEC to recognise Usman.
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The appellate court also upheld the legality of the party’s caretaker committee led by Usman, describing it as a necessary measure to fill a leadership vacuum within the party.
In a strongly worded remark, the justices criticised Abure for abusing the judicial process.
The court faulted his decision to pursue parallel litigation at a Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already settled by the Supreme Court, describing it as forum shopping.
It also noted that his continued claim to the party’s leadership contradicted the clear position of the apex court.
The court concluded that the appeal lacked merit and amounted to an abuse of court process.
Consequently, it dismissed the case and imposed a fine of ₦10 million on Abure for wasting judicial time.
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Nenadi Usman described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
She praised the judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in upholding justice despite attempts by certain elements to undermine its integrity.