By Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has recognized the Usman Nenadi–led executive of the Labour Party (LP), effectively sacking Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lifu relied on the Supreme Court verdict of April 4, 2025, to declare Senator Nenadi Usman as the valid leader of the party.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately recognize the Senator Usman–led Caretaker Committee as the only legitimate authority to represent the Labour Party, pending the convening of a national convention.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by Senator Usman before the court. Julius Abure and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) were listed as defendants in the matter.
Justice Lifu held that the evidence before the court clearly showed that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman of the Labour Party had elapsed.
He dismissed Abure’s argument that the matter was an internal party affair and therefore non-justiciable, ruling instead that the establishment of the LP Caretaker Committee was “a necessity” arising from the directive of the Supreme Court.
Earlier, on January 9, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced its recognition of Senator Usman as National Chairman.
The opposition party said the move reaffirmed the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, which ruled that Julius Abure’s tenure had expired.
“The NWC reaffirmed that all congresses and the National Convention of the Party shall hold accordingly, in strict compliance with the provisions of the Party Constitution. Members at all levels are therefore encouraged to actively participate in the congress processes,” the Labour Party stated.
