The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party has taken a new turn after former National Chairman, Julius Abure, rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld Senator Nenadi Usman as the recognised leader of the party.
In a statement released shortly after the ruling on Tuesday, Abure described the decision as unacceptable and inconsistent with established legal principles, insisting that his faction would challenge it at the Supreme Court.
He argued that the court erred in its conclusion that the tenure of his National Working Committee had expired, maintaining that the party’s national convention held in Nnewi in 2024 remains valid and constitutionally binding.
“We have seen the judgment of the Court of Appeal and we reject it in its entirety,” Abure said. “It is not acceptable to us in the Labour Party under my leadership. We are going to the Supreme Court to challenge it.”
Abure further insisted that leadership matters within political parties are internal affairs, and questioned the basis on which the court dismissed the legitimacy of his executive.
He also faulted the court’s reliance on earlier proceedings, arguing that the convention that produced his leadership remains in force for a four-year term as provided by the party constitution.
According to him, the alternative leadership structure that emerged from the Umuahia meeting was unconstitutional, claiming only the National Chairman and National Secretary have the authority to convene national executive meetings.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal had earlier affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, which recognised Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party and directed INEC to accord her recognition.
The appellate court held that a previous Supreme Court decision had already invalidated the convention that produced Abure’s leadership, effectively ending his claim to the position.
The court also upheld the legality of the caretaker arrangement led by Usman, stating that it was necessary to fill a leadership vacuum within the party structure.
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Nenadi Usman described it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, praising the judiciary for standing firm despite political pressure.
With Abure’s latest move to approach the Supreme Court, the Labour Party’s leadership tussle appears far from over, as both factions continue to lay claim to the party’s control ahead of future political activities.
