The Federal High Court in Abuja has recognised the Usman Nenadi-led executive of the Labour Party (LP), effectively removing Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court relied on the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court verdict to declare Senator Nenadi Usman as the valid leader of the Labour Party.

Justice Lifu also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately recognise the Senator Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the only lawful authority representing the Labour Party, pending the conduct of a national convention.

The judgment followed a suit instituted by Usman Nenadi, in which Julius Abure and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) were listed as defendants.

The court held that evidence before it clearly showed that Abure’s tenure as national chairman had elapsed. In dismissing Abure’s argument that the matter was an internal party affair and therefore non-justiciable, Justice Lifu ruled that the establishment of a caretaker committee was “a necessity” arising from the directive of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, on January 9, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) also announced its recognition of Usman Nenadi as national chairman, saying the decision reaffirmed the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, which ruled that Abure’s tenure had expired.

“The NWC reaffirmed that all congresses and the National Convention of the Party shall hold accordingly, in strict compliance with the provisions of the Party Constitution. Members at all levels are therefore encouraged to actively participate in the congress processes,” the Labour Party stated.

The ruling further cements Nenadi Usman’s leadership of the opposition party and sets the stage for the conduct of fresh congresses and a national convention.