Politics

Court Removes Abure, Directs INEC to Recognise Nenadi-Led LP Exco

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJanuary 21, 2026

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday removed Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), recognising former Minister of Finance, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, as the party’s valid leader.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Peter Lifu relied on the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court ruling to declare Usman the lawful leader of the party.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately recognise the Usman-led Caretaker Committee as “the only valid authority to represent the Labour Party” until a national convention is held.

The ruling followed a suit filed by Usman, marked THC/ABJ/CS/2262/2025, in which both Abure and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) were named as defendants.

Justice Lifu noted that evidence showed Abure’s tenure as LP chairman had expired and dismissed his claim that the dispute was an internal party matter, stating that forming the Caretaker Committee was “a necessity” following the Supreme Court’s order.

The leadership dispute stems from a National Executive Committee (NEC) decision that removed Abure and appointed a 29-member caretaker committee, chaired by Usman.

The NEC meeting, held in Umuahia and chaired by LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was convened to resolve the party’s leadership vacuum.

Abure had challenged his removal in court, claiming he was lawfully elected Acting National Chairman in 2021 and confirmed as National Chairman at the party’s March 27, 2024, convention in Nnewi, Anambra State.

He noted that under his leadership, the party fielded candidates for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

While the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal initially upheld Abure’s position, the Supreme Court overturned these rulings.

In a lead judgement by Justice Inyang Okoro, the apex court dismissed Abure’s cross-appeal and allowed Usman’s appeal, emphasising that political parties must adhere to their rules in appointing officers and that officials whose tenures have ended should vacate their positions.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.