The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, reaffirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, settling months of leadership controversy within the party.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Hamma Barka, leading a three-member panel, declared that the court’s earlier decision on November 13, 2024, recognizing Abure as the party’s leader, remains valid and unchallenged.
The ruling addressed two appeals: one filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and the caretaker committee, and the other by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Barka clarified that the appellate court did not entertain the Labour Party’s leadership tussle, emphasizing that such matters fall outside judicial purview.
“Anything done outside jurisdiction amounts to a nullity,” Justice Barka stated firmly, referencing the October 8, 2024, judgment by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court. That decision, he noted, was delivered without jurisdiction and, as such, holds no legal weight.
Relying on its earlier judgment from November 2024, the Court of Appeal reiterated that Julius Abure’s leadership is legitimate, putting to rest the claims of rival factions.
This ruling comes at a critical time for the Labour Party, which has been grappling with internal disputes amid its growing prominence in Nigeria’s political landscape. The ruling ensures continuity and stability in the party’s leadership as it prepares for future elections.