The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Barrister Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate leader.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, the appellate court upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which recognised Usman as National Chairman and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge her leadership.
Abure had approached the appellate court to overturn the January 21, 2026 decision of the Federal High Court, which reaffirmed a prior Supreme Court judgment removing him as Labour Party chairman.
However, the Court of Appeal held that the Supreme Court had already settled the leadership dispute on April 4, 2025, when it nullified the convention that produced Abure as chairman. The court also ruled that the lower court acted within its constitutional powers in directing INEC to recognise Usman.
It further upheld the establishment of the party’s caretaker committee led by Usman, describing it as a necessary step to fill a leadership vacuum.
The court criticised Abure for abuse of court process and forum shopping, noting that he pursued similar claims in different courts despite clear rulings from the apex court. It concluded that the appeal lacked merit and imposed a ₦10 million fine on him.
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Usman described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. She thanked party members and supporters for their patience and urged stakeholders to focus on upcoming party congresses and preparations for the 2027 general elections.