Abure Storms Supreme Court Over Labour Party Crisis

The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party has deepened, as Julius Abure has rejected the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal and initiated moves to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

According to Ireporter Online, the appellate court sitting in Abuja dismissed Abure’s suit and affirmed an earlier verdict that removed him as the party’s national chairman, while also recognizing Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party.

The development stems from a prior ruling of the Federal High Court, which relied on an earlier decision of the Supreme Court that invalidated the process that produced Abure as chairman. The courts maintained that his tenure had elapsed and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to engage with the leadership under Usman.

However, Abure has strongly rejected the outcome, insisting that both he and his supporters do not accept the judgment. He argued that the party’s convention held in 2024 remains valid and continues to legitimize his leadership position.

He further disclosed that his legal team has been instructed to approach the Supreme Court in a fresh bid to overturn the Appeal Court’s ruling. Abure maintained that the judgment contradicts established legal principles, particularly the position that issues concerning party leadership are internal matters.

He also disputed claims that his tenure had expired, asserting that the March 27, 2024 convention held in Nnewi remains binding for a four-year term. Additionally, he faulted the meeting in Umuahia that led to the emergence of a caretaker committee, describing it as unconstitutional and inconsistent with party procedures.

Reaffirming his stance, Abure emphasized that the decision of the Appeal Court is unacceptable and will be contested at the highest judicial level.