In a dramatic turn of events, a Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown political Nigeria into fresh turmoil by affirming the removal of Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership faction instead.
The judgment, delivered today, comes amid a long-running leadership crisis within the LP — a feud that has seen rival factions locked in bitter legal and political battles for months. The court’s latest decision reinforces earlier rulings that Abure’s tenure has expired and validates efforts to install Usman as the party’s recognised leader ahead of critical elections.
INEC had previously been under intense pressure over conflicting court orders and whether to update its records to reflect Usman’s leadership officially — a move many saw as pivotal for the LP’s electoral fortunes. With today’s ruling, the electoral body has now been ordered to give Usman full recognition and authority as the party’s chairperson.
This development is expected to further inflame tensions within the Labour Party, which has been beset by factional disputes and rival claims to legitimacy — leaving supporters and observers wondering what this means for the party’s unity and performance in future elections.
