The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which recognised Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party.
The appeal stemmed from a January 21, 2026 judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which reaffirmed an earlier decision of the Supreme Court removing Abure as National Chairman and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Usman.
Dissatisfied, Abure 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 ruling in its entirety.
Supreme Court Had Settled Dispute – Court
Lazeera News reports that the appellate court held that the leadership crisis had already been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court on April 4, 2025, when it nullified the convention that purportedly returned Abure as National Chairman.
It agreed that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional powers under Section 251 in directing INEC to recognise Usman as the party’s leader.
The court also upheld the constitution of the party’s caretaker committee led by Usman, describing it as a “doctrine of necessity” to fill a leadership vacuum within the party.
Court Slams Abure For Abuse Of Process
The justices criticised Abure for abusing court processes and engaging in forum shopping, particularly by instituting a separate action at a Nasarawa State High Court on issues already decided by the apex court.
The panel faulted his continued claim to the party’s leadership despite what it described as a “clear and unambiguous” pronouncement of the Supreme Court.
The court subsequently ruled that the appeal lacked merit and constituted an abuse of court process.
Consequently, the appellate court dismissed the appeal and imposed a cost of ₦10 million on Abure for what it described as wasting judicial time on a matter already settled.
Reacting to the judgment, Usman described the ruling as a triumph for democracy and the rule of law.
She commended the judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in upholding justice despite alleged attempts to undermine its integrity.
The interim national chairman expressed appreciation to party members and supporters for their patience and loyalty during the leadership crisis.
She urged stakeholders to focus on the party’s forthcoming congresses and national convention, while also thanking the media for objective reportage.
Usman further called on Nigerians to sustain their trust in the Labour Party as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
