The Court of Appeal in Abuja has once again affirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, dismissing challenges to his leadership.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, delivered the judgment on Thursday, reaffirming its November 13, 2024, ruling that recognized Abure’s position as the legitimate leader of the party. The court held that its previous judgment still stands and has not been overturned by any other court.
The ruling followed two separate appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the caretaker committee of the Labour Party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The appellate court clarified that it would not address the issue of the party leadership itself, explaining that such disputes are non-justiciable in court.
Justice Barka emphasized that any action taken outside the jurisdiction of the court is deemed a nullity. In this case, the court invalidated the October 8, 2024 judgment by the Federal High Court, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, which had questioned Abure’s leadership. The Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court had no jurisdiction to deliver its judgment on the matter.
As a result, the appellate court confirmed that Julius Abure remains the duly recognized National Chairman of the Labour Party, closing the door on the ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
