A three member panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate national chairman. The court also imposed a ₦10 million cost on Abure for abuse of court process.

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, the appellate court upheld the earlier ruling of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court. That decision, issued on January 21, had reaffirmed the removal of Abure as Labour Party national chairman in line with a prior ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the party’s leader.

The Court of Appeal noted that the Supreme Court had, on April 4, 2025, conclusively resolved the Labour Party leadership dispute by nullifying the convention that returned Abure as chairman, leaving no room for further litigation. It further held that under Section 251 of the Constitution, the Federal High Court was empowered to compel a federal agency such as INEC to perform its statutory duties, thereby validating the order recognising Usman. The appellate court also upheld the caretaker committee led by Usman, describing it as a necessary measure to address a leadership vacuum within the party.

The panel criticised Abure’s conduct, accusing him of forum shopping at a Nasarawa State High Court on an issue already settled by the Supreme Court and of continuing to lay claim to the party’s leadership despite clear judicial pronouncements.

Describing the appeal as lacking merit and constituting an abuse of court process, the court dismissed the case and awarded ₦10 million in costs against Abure.

Reacting to the ruling, Usman welcomed the judgment as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, commending the judiciary for upholding justice despite what she described as attempts to undermine its integrity.