The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party (LP), effectively removing Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.
Justice Peter Lifu, while delivering judgment, relied on the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court verdict to declare the Usman-led executive as the valid leadership of the party.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately recognise the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the only lawful authority representing the Labour Party, pending the conduct of a national convention.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Senator Usman, challenging Abure’s continued claim to the party’s leadership. Apart from Abure, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was also listed as a defendant in the case.
Justice Lifu held that evidence before the court clearly showed that Abure’s tenure as national chairman had elapsed, dismissing his argument that the dispute was an internal party matter and therefore non-justiciable.
According to the court, the establishment of the caretaker committee was a necessary step arising from the directive of the Supreme Court, aimed at restoring order and legality within the party’s leadership structure.
Earlier, on January 9, the Labour Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had also announced its recognition of Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s national chairman, describing the move as a reaffirmation of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The party further stated that all congresses and the national convention would be conducted in strict compliance with the party’s constitution, urging members at all levels to actively participate in the forthcoming congress processes.
