[BREAKING NEWS]: Appeal Court Upholds Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Leader, Fines Abure ₦10m

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate national leader.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, the appellate court upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which had recognised Usman as leader of the party.

The lower court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had reaffirmed a prior decision of the Supreme Court that nullified Abure’s emergence as National Chairman and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Abure approached the appellate court seeking to overturn the decision. However, the court held that the Supreme Court had already conclusively resolved the leadership dispute on April 4, 2025, when it invalidated the convention that produced him as chairman.

The Court of Appeal further ruled that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional powers in directing INEC to recognise Usman. It also upheld the establishment of the Labour Party’s caretaker committee under her leadership, describing it as a necessary measure to fill a leadership vacuum.

The justices criticised Abure for abuse of court process, citing his attempts to relitigate the matter despite clear pronouncements by the apex court. The court also faulted his move to seek parallel reliefs at a Nasarawa State High Court, describing it as forum shopping.

Consequently, the appeal was dismissed for lacking merit, and the court imposed a fine of ₦10 million on Abure for wasting judicial time.

Reacting to the judgment, Usman described the ruling as a triumph for democracy and the rule of law. She commended the judiciary for upholding justice and thanked party members and supporters for their patience and loyalty during the leadership crisis.

She urged stakeholders to remain focused as the party prepares for its upcoming congresses and national convention ahead of the 2027 general elections.