The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal Nigeria has affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party, bringing an end to the leadership tussle that has lingered for months.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Barrister Julius Abure, describing it as lacking merit.
The court upheld the earlier decision of the Federal High Court which recognised Nenadi Usman as the party’s leader.
The ruling followed Abure’s challenge against the January 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja. That court had reaffirmed the position of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which had earlier nullified the Labour Party convention that returned him as National Chairman.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi held that the matter had already been conclusively decided by the Supreme Court. The appellate court agreed that there was no basis to reopen the issue.
The court also backed the directive given to the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Usman as the party’s leader. It ruled that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional powers in compelling the electoral body to carry out its statutory duties.
On the issue of party leadership, the judges noted that the caretaker committee led by Usman was a necessary step. They described it as a practical solution to fill the leadership vacuum within the party at the time.
The panel criticised Abure for what it called abuse of court process. It accused him of engaging in forum shopping by taking the same matter to another court despite a clear ruling from the Supreme Court. The judges said his continued claim to the position was in defiance of an already settled legal position.
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The court further ruled that the appeal was a waste of judicial time. It consequently dismissed the case and slammed a cost of N10 million against Abure.
Reacting to the judgment, Usman described the decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. She praised the judiciary for standing firm and resisting pressure.
She thanked party members and supporters for their patience during the crisis. She also urged stakeholders to focus on rebuilding the party ahead of its congresses and national convention.
The Labour Party leadership called on Nigerians to continue to support the party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
