Federal High Court Removes Abure as Labour Party Chairman, Recognizes Nenadi-Led Exco

Federal High Court Removes Abure as Labour Party Chairman, Recognizes Nenadi-Led Exco

In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a judgment that reshapes the leadership of the Labour Party. Justice Peter Lifu, presiding over the case, has affirmed the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee as the valid leadership of the party, effectively sacking Julius Abure from his position as national chairman.

Court Orders INEC to Recognize Nenadi-Led Committee

While delivering the judgment in the suit filed by Nenadi Usman against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Justice Lifu relied on a Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4th, which declared Usman as the valid leader of the party. The court ordered INEC to forthwith recognize the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the only valid authority to represent the Labour Party, pending when the party convenes a national convention.

Justice Lifu held that evidence before him established that Abure’s tenure as the national chairman of the Labour Party had since elapsed. The judge dismissed Abure’s contention that the matter was an internal affair of a political party, which is non-justiciable, stating that the setting up of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee was a necessity that arose from the Supreme Court’s order.

Background of the Leadership Crisis

It will be recalled that following a leadership crisis that rocked the Labour Party, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party resolved to remove Abure as the National Chairman. To fill the leadership vacuum, the party constituted a 29-member caretaker committee, with the former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman, as Chairman.

This decision was the outcome of an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the party that was hosted in Umuahia by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State. The meeting at which Abure was sacked from office was chaired by his former ally and the party’s 2023 presidential election candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Abure approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to validate his position as the National Chairman of the party. However, the court’s ruling has now solidified the position of the Nenadi-led exco, marking a pivotal moment in the party’s internal dynamics and setting the stage for future political maneuvers.