The Labour Party’s leadership crisis took a sharp turn on Friday, with the Federal High Court in Abuja ruling against Julius Abure. In a landmark decision, the court dismissed Abure’s case challenging his removal as National Chairman of the party, affirming that he is no longer in charge.
In case No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025, the court struck out Abure’s suit for lack of jurisdiction. This decision reinforced the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025 ruling, which had already annulled all prior recognitions of his leadership. The ruling has ended any lingering doubts over his status and confirmed that Abure’s tenure had expired.
Senator Nenadi Usman, the party’s Interim National Chairman, welcomed the judgment, stating that it “removes every lingering doubt” regarding Abure’s position. Usman further emphasized that this judgment reinforces the supremacy of the rule of law and the binding nature of the Supreme Court’s pronouncements. She declared that “the chapter is closed,” calling on the party to focus on rebuilding the Labour Party into a disciplined, people-centered movement that Nigerians deserve.
INEC’s Counter-Affidavit left no room for ambiguity. The commission, under oath, confirmed that Abure’s tenure, along with that of the National Executive Committee, had ended in June 2024. INEC also stated that the controversial “Nnewi National Convention” held on March 27, 2024, was never monitored or recognized by the commission because it violated the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the LP constitution.
Usman praised INEC for its “clarity, courage, and institutional integrity” in upholding the facts, urging all members of the Labour Party to respect the Constitution and the authority of the courts.
