The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, has recognised the Usman Nenadi-led executive of the Labour Party (LP), effectively removing Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu relied on the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court verdict to declare Senator Nenadi Usman as the valid leader of the party.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately recognise the Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the only legitimate authority representing the Labour Party, pending the convening of a national convention.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Usman Nenadi, in which Abure and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) were listed as defendants.
Justice Lifu held that evidence before the court clearly showed that Abure’s tenure as national chairman had expired. He dismissed Abure’s argument that the dispute was an internal party matter and therefore non-justiciable, ruling instead that the establishment of the caretaker committee was “a necessity arising from the Supreme Court’s order.”
The court further affirmed that compliance with the apex court’s decision was mandatory and binding on all parties.
Meanwhile, on January 9, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) also announced its recognition of Usman Nenadi as national chairman, describing the move as a reaffirmation of the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025 judgment, which declared Abure’s tenure elapsed.
In a statement, the Labour Party said the NWC reaffirmed that all congresses and the National Convention would be conducted strictly in line with the party’s constitution, urging members at all levels to actively participate in the process.
