Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State recorded a major victory on Wednesday as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja sacked Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
The court further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Senator Nenadi Usman–led National Working Committee (NWC) as the authentic leadership of the party.
The Nenadi-led NWC is backed by Governor Otti.
Wednesday’s judgment effectively gives Governor Otti a firm grip on the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Labour Party has been embroiled in a protracted leadership crisis, which created uncertainty within the party and led to the exit of some chieftains, including its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu, relying on the April 4, 2025 verdict of the Supreme Court, declared Senator Usman as the valid leader of the party.
The court ordered INEC to forthwith recognise the Senator Nenadi Usman–led Caretaker Committee as “the only valid authority to represent the Labour Party,” pending the convening of a national convention.
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2262/2025, filed by the former minister.
Justice Lifu held that evidence before the court clearly showed that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman of the Labour Party had elapsed.
He dismissed Abure’s argument that the matter was an internal party affair and therefore non-justiciable.
The court further held that the constitution of the LP Caretaker Committee was “a necessity” arising from the directive of the Supreme Court.
