Court Affirms Abure’s Sack, Orders INEC To Recognize Nenadi Usman As Labour Party Leader

A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Usman Nenadi as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party, effectively removing Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.

In his judgment, Justice Peter Lifu based his decision on the Supreme Court ruling delivered on April 4, 2025, which confirmed that Abure’s tenure had already ended.

Relying on that verdict, the court upheld the Usman Nenadi–led executive as the lawful leadership of the party.

Justice Lifu also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately recognise the Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the only authorised body representing the Labour Party, pending the conduct of a national convention.

The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by Usman challenging Abure’s continued claim to the chairmanship.

Apart from Julius Abure, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) was also named as a defendant in the case.

The court held that the evidence before it clearly showed that Abure no longer had the legal backing to remain in office.

It rejected Abure’s argument that the dispute was an internal party matter beyond the court’s reach, stating that the establishment of a caretaker committee became necessary as a result of the Supreme Court’s directive.

Justice Lifu explained that the court was simply giving effect to the apex court’s decision, which made the caretaker arrangement unavoidable.

Earlier, on January 9, the Labour Party’s National Working Committee had also announced its acceptance of Senator Usman Nenadi as the party’s national chairman.

The party said the decision aligned with the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, which ruled that Abure’s tenure had expired.

It added that all party congresses and the national convention would be held in line with the party’s constitution.

The Labour Party encouraged its members at all levels to fully participate in the upcoming congress and convention processes.

KanyiDaily recalls that Julius Abure led-Labour Party faction staged a protest outside the INEC headquarters in Abuja over excluded candidates from FCT council election.