*Abure Fined N10m, Heads To Supreme Court
THE Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Nenadi Usman, described the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, dismissing the appeal filed by Julius Abure challenging her leadership of the party, thereby affirming her position, as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
While commending the judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in upholding justice, despite attempts by certain elements to undermine its integrity, Usman expressed gratitude to party faithful and supporters across the country for their patience, loyalty and unwavering commitment during the period of uncertainty, and the media for their professionalism and objective reporting.
The former senator called on Nigerians to continue to trust the party as preparations intensify for next year’s general elections, and all stakeholders to remain focused on its forthcoming congresses and national convention.
The three-member panel of Justices of the appellate court had dismissed Abure’s appeal, thereby upholding the January 2 judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which reaffirmed the earlier judgment of the Supreme Court removing Abure as national chairman of the party and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the legitimate leader of the party, to the exclusion of all others.
Dissatisfied with lower court judgment, Abure had approached the court of appeal in suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/255/2026, seeking to overturn the decision.
However, in the lead judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, with Justices A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike concurring, the appellate court affirmed the lower court’s decision.
It held that the Supreme Court had, on April 4, 2025, conclusively settled the leadership dispute within the party when it nullified the convention that purportedly returned Abure as national chairman.
The court agreed with the trial court that it had the powers, under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to compel a statutory federal government agency to perform its functions when it ordered INEC to recognise Usman as the national chairman of party.
The appellate court also agreed with the trial court that the constitution of the party’s Caretaker Committee, headed by Usman, was a doctrine of necessity needed to provide leadership in the party when there appeared to be a vacuum.
The court strongly criticised Abure for what it called abuse of court process and for engaging in forum shopping at a Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already decided by the Supreme Court, and for persisting in laying claim to the leadership of the party, despite the clear and unambiguous pronouncement of the apex court.
The court further held that the appeal was devoid of merit and constituted an abuse of court process. Consequently, while dismissing the appeal, imposed a cost of N10million against Abure for wasting judicial time on a matter that had already been conclusively determined.
Meanwhile, Abure rejected the judgment in its entirety, vowing to challenge it at the Supreme Court, saying it contradicts established legal principles that party leadership remains an internal affair.
He maintained that his tenure was still valid based on the 2024 convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, describing the caretaker arrangement that produced Usman as unconstitutional.
Declaring the judgment as unacceptable, Abure said his legal team was set to challenge the decision at the apex court, setting the stage for a final legal showdown, and determination, of the long-drawn leadership tussle.
