Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In a landmark judgment that has reignited internal tensions within the Labour Party, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which had recognised Julius Abure as the substantive National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
Truth Live News gathered that, the apex court, in a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel on Friday, ruled that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce on the party’s internal leadership structure, especially after it had earlier established that the matter in question pertained strictly to internal party affairs.
The judgment followed an appeal filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, who challenged the legitimacy of the appellate court’s ruling that upheld Abure’s chairmanship. The Supreme Court held that while the judiciary has a role in upholding constitutionalism and due process, it must not wade into internal party leadership issues which fall squarely within the domain of political party structures and their constitutions.
Julius Abure, a long-time member of the Labour Party, had emerged as a prominent figure during the 2023 general elections, especially as the party gained national relevance with the candidacy of Peter Obi. However, in the months that followed, Abure’s leadership became a flashpoint for internal party conflicts, with multiple factions emerging and accusations flying over mismanagement, imposition of candidates, and a lack of internal democracy.
In early 2024, a rival faction within the LP challenged Abure’s position, arguing that due process was not followed in affirming his leadership. This culminated in legal battles that reached the Court of Appeal, which in November 2024 ruled in Abure’s favour—recognising him as the legitimate national chairman.
That decision was immediately contested by stakeholders, including Senator Nenadi Usman, who argued that the court had overreached its authority by delving into an issue that was clearly an internal matter.
The Supreme Court today sided with this argument. In its ruling, the panel noted that it is well established in Nigerian jurisprudence that leadership tussles within a political party must be resolved through the party’s constitution and internal mechanisms.
“This is a matter squarely within the Labour Party’s internal governance,” the court stated. “Once a court determines that a matter is internal, it should not proceed to make declarations or enforce outcomes that belong to the party’s internal resolution processes.”
This judgment throws the party into renewed uncertainty, potentially paving the way for a reconstitution of its leadership or fresh internal elections. It also threatens to deepen divisions ahead of off-cycle gubernatorial elections and the 2027 general elections, especially as the LP seeks to consolidate its role as a viable third force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Observers say the ruling is a test of the party’s resilience and internal democratic capacity. “This is a moment of truth for the Labour Party,” said political analyst Dr. Raymond Okafor. “Can they resolve their issues internally, or will this open the door to a full-blown crisis that could weaken their national momentum?”
All eyes are now on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which may be called upon to interpret the implications of the ruling for the party’s official records.
The Supreme Court’s ruling also reinforces a broader precedent: that the judiciary must not substitute its own judgment for that of a party’s internal decision-making bodies when it comes to leadership selection.