BY GABRIEL MICHEAL—The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rejected a challenge filed by Julius Abure over the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming an earlier decision that recognised Nenadi Usman as the party’s head.
In a unanimous ruling by a three-member panel, the court fined Abure N10 million, describing the case as a misuse of judicial procedures.
The panel, led by Oyejoju Oyewumi, alongside Justices A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, upheld the verdict of the Federal High Court, which followed the position earlier taken by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the dispute.
The court noted that the apex court had already settled the matter on April 4, 2025, by voiding the convention that produced Abure as national chairman.
Details of the decision were disclosed in a statement by Ken Eluma Asogwa, media adviser to the party’s interim leadership. The court also held that the lower court acted within its powers in directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Usman as leader and supported the caretaker committee set up under her.
The justices faulted Abure for filing multiple suits on an issue already resolved, describing it as forum shopping and ruling that the appeal lacked merit.
Reacting, Usman hailed the judgment as a victory for democracy and commended party members for their patience, urging unity as the party prepares for future activities and the 2027 general elections.
