The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as the party announced that the Court of Appeal of Nigeria has dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure, affirming the leadership of Nenadi Usman.
In a press statement issued on April 21, 2026, and signed by Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the Interim National Chairman, the party said the appellate court upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court which recognised Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party.
According to the statement, the appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, ruled that the appeal filed by Abure was “devoid of merit” and constituted an abuse of court process.
Appeal Court Upholds Lower Court Decision
The Labour Party disclosed that the court affirmed the powers of the Federal High Court under Section 251 of the Constitution to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the party’s leadership.
The statement further noted that the court aligned with the earlier position that the Supreme Court had already settled the leadership dispute when it nullified the convention that returned Abure as National Chairman.
The appellate court was also said to have endorsed the caretaker committee led by Usman under the doctrine of necessity, describing it as a lawful mechanism to fill the leadership vacuum within the party.
Court Slams Abure for “Abuse of Process”
In a strongly worded position, the party said the court criticised Abure for alleged abuse of judicial process, including what it described as “forum shopping” in a Nasarawa State High Court despite an existing Supreme Court ruling on the matter.
Consequently, the court reportedly imposed a cost of ₦10 million against Abure for what it described as wasting judicial time.
Labour Party Reacts
Reacting to the development, Senator Nenadi Usman described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
She commended the judiciary for its courage and urged party members to remain united ahead of the party’s congresses and national convention.
Usman also called on Nigerians to continue supporting the Labour Party as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Ongoing Leadership Crisis
The Labour Party has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership tussle, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s national structure.
