Appeal Court Dismisses Julius Abure's Suit, Affirms Usman as Labour Party Leader
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has delivered a unanimous judgment dismissing the appeal filed by Barrister Julius Abure, which challenged the leadership of the Labour Party. This ruling reinforces the earlier decision of the Federal High Court and upholds the Supreme Court's position on the matter.
Background of the Legal Dispute
Hon. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had previously reaffirmed a Supreme Court judgment that removed Barr. Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party, excluding all other claimants.
Dissatisfied with this outcome, Barr. Abure approached the Court of Appeal in suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/255/2026 – Barr. Julius Abure & Anor v. Sen. Nenadi Esther Usman & 3 Ors – seeking to overturn the lower court's decision.
Appellate Court's Ruling and Reasoning
In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, with Justices A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike concurring, the appellate court affirmed the Federal High Court's decision. The court held that the Supreme Court had conclusively settled the leadership dispute within the Labour Party on 4th April 2025, when it nullified the convention that purportedly returned Barr. Abure as National Chairman.
The appellate court agreed with the trial court that it had the authority under Section 251 of the Constitution to compel INEC, a statutory Federal Government agency, to perform its functions by recognising Senator Nenadi Usman as the National Chairman. Additionally, the court supported the trial court's view that the constitution of the Caretaker Committee, headed by Usman, was a doctrine of necessity to provide leadership during a perceived vacuum in the party.
Criticism of Abure's Actions
The Justices strongly criticised Barr. Abure for abuse of court process and engaging in forum shopping at a Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already decided by the Supreme Court. They noted his persistence in claiming leadership of the party despite clear and unambiguous pronouncements from the apex court.
The court further held that the appeal was devoid of merit and constituted an abuse of court process. As a consequence, while dismissing the appeal, the court imposed a cost of ten million naira against Barr. Abure for wasting judicial time on a matter that had already been conclusively determined.
Implications for the Labour Party
This ruling solidifies Senator Nenadi Usman's position as the leader of the Labour Party, bringing clarity to the party's internal governance. It also underscores the judiciary's role in enforcing constitutional mandates and preventing frivolous legal actions that delay political processes.
The decision is expected to impact the party's operations and its interactions with INEC, ensuring smoother electoral preparations and reducing further legal challenges over leadership disputes.
