Appeal Court Affirms Julius Abure As Labour Party National Chairman

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

A panel of three judges, led by Justice Hamma Barka, ruled that the court’s earlier decision on November 13, 2024, recognizing Abure’s leadership, remains valid and has not been overturned.

This decision came during the judgment of two appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court clarified that it avoided addressing the leadership dispute within the Labour Party, emphasizing that such matters are not within its jurisdiction.

Justice Barka stated that any ruling made outside jurisdiction holds no legal standing.

Consequently, the Federal High Court’s decision from October 8, 2024, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, was declared invalid due to a lack of jurisdiction.

The appellate court reinforced its earlier judgment, affirming Abure as the party’s legitimate leader.

Justice Nwite’s earlier ruling had also validated Abure’s leadership, endorsing the Labour Party’s March 2024 Nnewi convention, which elected the party’s national executives.

Justice Nwite had instructed INEC to recognize Abure as the lawful chairman, rejecting the Commission’s argument against his leadership.

He said, “I am of the view that and so hold that the basis of these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails.

“The plaintiff has proved his case. I hereby make an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure all the rights and privileges accorded a political party duly registered in Nigeria.”

INEC had claimed that the Labour Party’s national convention violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, arguing that the party failed to meet the necessary legal requirements.

However, Justice Nwite ruled that the evidence presented supported Abure’s leadership, and he directed INEC to grant the Labour Party full rights as a registered political entity under Abure’s chairmanship.

KanyiDaily recalls that last year, an Appeal Court had removed Julius Abure from his role and named Lamido Apapa as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.