Supreme Court Overturns Ruling That Recognised Julius Abure As Labour Party Chairman

The Supreme Court has overturned the judgement by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

In a unanimous ruling, the five-member panel of the Supreme Court said the Appeal Court should not have made any declaration about Abure’s position, especially after acknowledging that the case was mainly about the party’s internal leadership matters.

The court explained that issues related to a political party’s leadership are considered internal affairs, and therefore, the courts have no power to interfere.

The Supreme Court agreed with the appeal brought forward by Senator Nenadi Usman and another person, ruling in their favour.

Meanwhile, it dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Julius Abure’s faction of the Labour Party, calling it baseless.

Back in January, the Court of Appeal had insisted that Julius Abure remained the LP chairman.

A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, had said its earlier ruling from November 13, 2024 — which recognised Abure — still stood, as no court had overturned it.

Justice Barka delivered this ruling while deciding on two separate appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and the party’s caretaker committee, along with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Appeal Court, however, had also noted at the time that it did not rule on who should lead the party, stating that such matters are not within the court’s power to decide.

It emphasized that any ruling made without proper jurisdiction is invalid — including the October 8, 2024 judgment by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, which it said held no legal weight.

KanyiDaily recalls that Labour Party had warned Peter Obi to distance himself from the suspended National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure.