The Supreme Court ruling on April 4, 2025, has sparked a leadership crisis within the Labour Party (LP), as both the Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman and the faction led by former National Chairman Julius Abure lay claim to victory.
The Court’s decision reversed the January 2024 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognized Abure as the National Chairman of the LP. The Supreme Court, in its ruling, emphasized that leadership disputes within political parties fall under internal matters, which are outside the jurisdiction of the courts. The judgment declared that the lower courts lacked the authority to make a pronouncement on the leadership of the party, effectively invalidating the appellate court’s recognition of Abure as the National Chairman.
A Contested Victory
Following the ruling, Senator Usman, who heads the LP Caretaker Committee, celebrated the decision as a victory for the rule of law. She stressed that while the ruling was a win, it was not a time for triumphalism but a moment for party unity. Usman called on all party members to focus on the common goal of advancing the Labour Party’s values and its commitment to creating a New Nigeria.
On the other hand, the National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led faction, Obiora Ifoh, strongly disagreed with the interpretation of the ruling. Ifoh argued that the Supreme Court did not remove Julius Abure from his position as National Chairman, as it did not annul previous court decisions affirming his leadership. Ifoh contended that the decision simply underscored the party’s constitutional right to choose its leaders internally without judicial interference.
The Abure faction also highlighted that the National Convention held in March 2024 had been properly convened under the party’s constitution, with Abure’s leadership being recognized by INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission).
The Role of the Labour Party Caucus
The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has also weighed in on the issue, welcoming the Supreme Court ruling. The caucus expressed hope that the judgment would lead to the removal of Abure from the position of National Chairman, which they believe will restore stability to the party. The caucus described the decision as a “veritable tonic” for revitalizing the party, which has been beset by internal leadership disputes.
Afam Ogene, the leader of the caucus, praised the judgment for providing the party with an opportunity to move forward with internal reforms and peace-building efforts. Ogene emphasized that the party could now focus on preparing for future elections with a unified and stable leadership structure.
Supreme Court’s Position on Party Leadership
The Supreme Court’s verdict reinforced that issues related to the internal leadership of political parties are matters for those parties to resolve through their own constitutional mechanisms, without judicial intervention. In its ruling, the Court not only quashed the Court of Appeal’s judgment recognizing Abure but also cautioned political parties to respect their own constitutions and internal processes when selecting their leadership.
Justice John Inyang Okoro, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the leadership dispute in the LP should have been handled internally, as the matter was not justiciable. The Court further dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Abure’s faction as unmeritorious and incompetent, leaving the issue of leadership within the party to be resolved by its members in accordance with its rules and regulations.
Next Steps for the Labour Party
The ongoing dispute over the leadership of the Labour Party is far from settled, as both factions continue to interpret the Court’s judgment differently. While the Caretaker Committee led by Senator Usman remains hopeful that the ruling paves the way for new leadership, the Abure faction is resolute in its claim that the Supreme Court did not invalidate his position as National Chairman.
The Labour Party now faces a critical moment in its history, with an opportunity to restore internal peace and focus on its broader goals for Nigeria’s future. The party’s ability to unite its members and resolve its leadership crisis will likely determine its effectiveness in upcoming elections and its continued relevance in Nigerian politics.