Abure Faction To Challenge Court Decision On Labour Party Leadership.

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has announced plans to appeal the Federal High Court ruling that recognised Esther Nenadi Usman as the head of a caretaker committee for the party.

The group described the judgment as inconsistent with a previous Supreme Court decision on political party leadership.

The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, stated that the ruling would be contested in the Court of Appeal. 

He said the group was not surprised by the outcome, noting actions during the case that suggested a verdict in favour of the Nenadi Usman faction. 

The party urged its members to stay calm and assured them that all legal steps would be taken to defend their leadership.

According to the faction, the Supreme Court has consistently held that courts do not have the authority to appoint leaders of political parties, as such matters fall within the internal governance of parties. 

They argued that the Federal High Court contradicted this position by declaring a caretaker committee as the party’s leadership.

The group also questioned the court’s interpretation of their tenure, noting that the National Working Committee’s term was set to end in June 2024, but a national convention was held in March 2024, producing the current executive.

 They criticized the court for suggesting a leadership vacuum without reviewing the convention’s legality.

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, removed Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman.

 Justice Peter Lifu referred to a Supreme Court ruling from April 4, 2025, in declaring Esther Nenadi Usman the legitimate head of the Labour Party. 

The judge instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognise the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee as the party’s valid authority until a national convention is held.