The Labour Party’s leadership dispute took a decisive turn on Friday as the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed Julius Abure’s case against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), affirming he is no longer the party’s National Chairman
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025, the court struck out Abure’s suit for lack of jurisdiction, reinforcing the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025 ruling (Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025), which nullified all prior recognitions of his leadership.
Reacting to the judgment, Interim National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman, PhD, said the decision “removes every lingering doubt” about Abure’s status.
“This is another unambiguous affirmation of the rule of law and the Supreme Court’s binding pronouncements,” Usman said. “The chapter is closed — we must put distractions behind us and rebuild the Labour Party into the disciplined, people-centred movement Nigerians deserve.”
INEC’s counter-affidavit in the case made its position clear, stating under oath that Abure’s tenure, along with that of the National Executive Committee, expired in June 2024. The commission added that the controversial March 27, 2024 “Nnewi National Convention” was neither monitored nor recognised, as it violated the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC guidelines, and the Labour Party constitution.
Usman commended INEC for its “clarity, courage, and institutional integrity” and urged all party members to “respect the supremacy of the Constitution and the authority of the courts.”
With bye-elections approaching and the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the ruling may finally end the factional struggle that has plagued the party for over a year.
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