The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has dismissed Julius Abure's appeal challenging the leadership of the Labour Party. A three-member panel upheld the January 21 ruling of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, which affirmed the Supreme Court's April 4, 2025, judgment nullifying the convention that re-elected Abure as National Chairman. The Federal High Court had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Senator Nenadi Usman as the party's legitimate leader. Abure had appealed that decision, but the Court of Appeal, in a judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, found the appeal lacked merit. The court confirmed that the Supreme Court had conclusively resolved the leadership dispute and criticized Abure for forum shopping in Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already settled. It ruled that the Federal High Court had constitutional authority under Section 251 to compel INEC to perform its functions. The appellate court also endorsed the formation of the Caretaker Committee led by Usman as a necessary measure to fill a leadership vacuum. The justices described Abure's continued claims to leadership as an abuse of court process. As a consequence, the court imposed a cost of ten million naira (N10,000,000) on Abure for wasting judicial time. Senator Nenadi Usman, reacting to the judgment, called it a victory for democracy and the rule of law, and praised the judiciary for upholding justice.
Julius Abure continues to claim leadership of the Labour Party despite three separate courts, including the Supreme Court, ruling against him. Senator Nenadi Usman's recognition as National Chairman means party decisions made under her authority are now legally binding. Nigerians who participated in Labour Party activities during the leadership crisis may face uncertainty over the validity of those engagements. The N10 million cost imposed on Abure sets a precedent for how courts may treat repeated legal challenges on settled matters.
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