The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate leader.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, the three-member panel upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which had recognized Usman and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to acknowledge her leadership.
The appellate court held that the Supreme Court had already settled the leadership dispute on April 4, 2025, when it nullified the convention that returned Abure as national chairman.
It also agreed that the lower court acted within its constitutional powers in directing INEC to recognize Usman, noting that the caretaker committee she leads was a necessary measure to fill a leadership vacuum in the party.
The court criticized Abure for abuse of court process, accusing him of forum shopping and continuing to claim leadership despite the Supreme Court’s clear ruling.
The appellate court consequently consequently imposed a cost of N10 million against Abure for wasting judicial time on a matter that had already been conclusively determined.
It ruled that the appeal lacked merit and constituted an abuse of court process, and imposed a cost of 10 million naira against Abure for wasting judicial time.
Reacting, Usman described the judgment as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, and commended the judiciary for upholding justice.
