By Abiola Olawale
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has set aside a previous Court of Appeal judgment that recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
The unanimous ruling, delivered by a five-member panel, marks a turning point in the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
The Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal in Abuja lacked the jurisdiction to affirm Abure’s position, particularly after it had earlier determined that the case revolved around the Labour Party’s internal leadership disputes.
The Supreme Court also dismissed a cross-appeal by Abure’s faction, declaring it unmeritorious.
The ruling stems from a prolonged legal battle over the legitimacy of the Labour Party’s leadership, intensified by a controversial national convention in March 2024 and subsequent challenges from party stakeholders, including a caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman.