A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that Senator Nenadi Usman is the valid leader of the Labour Party, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise her leadership with immediate effect.
Justice Peter Lifu, delivering judgment on Wednesday, upheld the Supreme Court’s 4 April 2025 ruling, which nullified earlier court decisions that had recognised Julius Abure as National Chairman. The court consequently removed Abure from office.
Justice Lifu ordered INEC to recognise the Nenadi Usman–led National Caretaker Committee as the party’s only lawful leadership structure until a national convention is held.
The case arose from a suit filed by Usman, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2262/2025, in which Abure and the Nigerian Labour Congress were named as defendants.
In his ruling, the judge stated that Abure’s tenure had elapsed and that the court could not allow a leadership vacuum within the party. He dismissed claims that the matter was non-justiciable, holding that the caretaker committee was a direct consequence of the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Justice Lifu said the court was bound by the apex court’s decision, warning that any contrary ruling would amount to judicial insubordination. He confirmed that all issues raised by Usman were resolved in her favour.
The judgment follows months of internal crisis within the Labour Party, which led the National Executive Committee to remove Abure and establish a 29-member caretaker committee chaired by Usman. The decision was taken at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, convened by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and chaired by former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Abure had challenged his removal, arguing that he was lawfully elected Acting National Chairman in 2021 and later confirmed at the party’s national convention in March 2024. Although the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal initially upheld his claims, the Supreme Court overturned those rulings, paving the way for Wednesday’s decision.
