The ongoing leadership tussle in the Labour Party (LP) escalated on Tuesday as a faction led by Julius Abure announced the dissolution of the caretaker committee headed by Usman Nenadi, despite existing court rulings affirming her leadership.
The announcement followed a virtual meeting of the Abure-led National Executive Council (NEC) held on March 17, 2026. In a statement signed by NEC Forum Secretary Abdulrahim Imam Chindo, the council accused the Nenadi-led committee of causing “incalculable damage” to the party and declared its termination.
“The NEC in session reviewed the activities of the Caretaker Committee and concluded that it had done incalculable damage to the Party since its inception illegally,” the statement read.
The move reignites tensions rooted in a legal battle that has spanned over a year. In April 2025, the Supreme Court nullified a Court of Appeal ruling that had affirmed Abure as the LP National Chairman. The apex court held that the matter was strictly an internal party issue beyond the jurisdiction of the courts, effectively ending Abure’s claim to the party’s leadership.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Abure rejected the decision, maintaining that his faction represents the authentic Labour Party. In January 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja formally recognised the Nenadi-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate leadership of the party, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accord official recognition to Nenadi’s committee pending a national convention.
Nonetheless, the Abure-led faction, composed of state chairmen and secretaries elected in December 2025, reaffirmed confidence in Abure’s leadership. The faction also instructed Abure to initiate the process for primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections and to pursue appeals against the Federal High Court judgment.
“The NEC mandated Barrister Julius Abure and Umar Farouk Ibrahim to issue the relevant notices to INEC for the conduct of primaries for the 2027 General Election in line with INEC timetable when the Federal High Court judgment is set aside,” the statement read.
The faction also declared that all notices previously issued to INEC by the Nenadi-led Caretaker Committee are null and void, signaling a continued standoff between the rival groups.
As the dispute drags on, the party faces uncertainty over its organisational structure and preparedness for the upcoming elections, with legal battles and internal divisions showing no immediate signs of resolution.
