Factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has announced that the party has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the leadership dispute rocking the opposition party, while also unveiling a policy granting free nomination forms to aspirants preparing for the 2027 general elections.
Abure disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday amid the deepening leadership tussle within the party over control of its structures and electoral activities.
The move follows the recent Court of Appeal ruling that recognised Nenadi Usman as the party’s national chairman, a decision Abure rejected shortly after the judgment was delivered in April. He had insisted at the time that the ruling would be challenged at the Supreme Court.
The leadership crisis has since divided the Labour Party into opposing camps, both laying claim to the party’s national leadership and organisational control nationwide.
Speaking at the briefing, Abure confirmed that the matter had now been taken before the apex court.
He said, “Nigerians will recall that when the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on April 21 on the Labour Party crisis, our leadership stated clearly that the party would head to the Supreme Court.
“I am happy to announce that we have filed our notice of appeal and that we are waiting for the compilation of our records so that we can properly file our brief in the Supreme Court.”
Despite the unresolved legal battle, Abure maintained that the faction under his leadership would actively participate in the 2027 elections.
According to him, nomination forms are being distributed free of charge through the party’s online platforms and structures nationwide. He added that governorship and state assembly primaries have been scheduled for May 27, while National Assembly primaries will take place on May 29, 2026.
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He also stated that the party’s presidential candidate would emerge through a consensus arrangement expected to hold in Abuja on May 29.
He said, “In any event, the Labour Party under our leadership will participate fully in the 2027 elections. Our forms are available, and aspirants have been picking up forms. All our forms can be accessed on the Labour Party’s social and online platforms for free.
“You may want to know why we have chosen to participate fully in this coming election in spite of the Appeal Court ruling. Of course, you are aware that for anyone to participate in a pre-election matter, you must have participated in all the processes leading to the primaries, including buying nomination forms and observing all INEC regulations.
“As a result, we have encouraged all our members across the country who have an interest in running for elective offices to pick up the necessary form for free so that they can participate and be part of the process.”
Abure further blamed the ongoing internal crisis on what he described as a reversal by the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging that the commission’s refusal to recognise his leadership contributed to the division within the party and the establishment of a caretaker committee.
His remarks came less than a day after another confrontation erupted between Alex Otti and the party’s national leadership over the authenticity and sale of nomination forms ahead of the 2027 polls.
Abure was also accused of disregarding court decisions and INEC’s position as uncertainty continues over who legitimately leads the party.
The controversy intensified after photographs circulated online showing Abure presenting Labour Party nomination forms to former National Vice Chairman of the party, Ceekay Igara, and other party members in Abia State.
Responding to the development on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, cautioned party members and aspirants against collecting forms from Abure, describing the documents as “worthless paper.”