Appeal Court reinstates Abure as LP National Chairman

By Matthew Otabe, Abuja

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. This decision reaffirms a previous judgment delivered by the appellate court on November 13, 2024, which had already recognized Abure as the legitimate chairman of the party.

The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Hamma Barka, who led a three-member panel of judges. The panel made it clear that no subsequent legal ruling has overturned the earlier decision, solidifying Abure’s leadership within the party.

The court addressed two separate appeals in its ruling. These appeals were filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, who represented a caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Barka stated that the Court of Appeal did not have the jurisdiction to deliberate on matters of party leadership, emphasizing that such issues are beyond the scope of the court’s authority.

Furthermore, the appellate court declared that any rulings made outside the bounds of jurisdiction are invalid. This includes a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on October 8, 2024, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite. 

The court ruled that Justice Nwite’s decision was ineffective and proceeded to strike out the case entirely.

The ruling underscores the appellate court’s stance that only its November 13, 2024, judgment stands, stating unequivocally that “Abure remains National Chairman of the Labour Party.”