LP Leadership Tussle: ‘It’s time to build our party’, Nenadi Usman declares after Supreme Court invalidated Abure’s Chairmanship

Acting National Chairperson of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has assured party members and supporters of her commitment to rebuilding and growing the party for victory following the recent ruling of the Supreme Court on the leadership tussle in Labour Party

In a message of appreciation to members and leaders of the party after Wednesday’s NEC meeting in Abuja, Usman assured them that a new Labour Party would come out of the crisis now since it’s been finally settled by the apex court of the land.

According to Usman, who commended all those that attended the NEC, meeting which she described as both timely and necessary, said: “It is with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility that I accept the resolution passed at the NEC meeting, appointing me as the Acting National Chairperson of the Labour Party. I am grateful for the unanimous vote of confidence and for the trust you have placed in me to lead during this transitional period.

“We followed up this important milestone with a formal visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where we presented the Supreme Court judgment affirming the legitimacy of our party’s leadership transition and communicated the outcome of our NEC proceedings.

“This is more than a procedural step — it is a demonstration of our collective commitment to due process, internal democracy, and the transparent governance that the Nigerian people rightfully expect from us.

“I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all members of the Labour Party, the leadership of the NLC and TUC, the Obidient Movement and every Nigerian, who continues to believe in this movement. To our leader and presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, your steadfastness and integrity continue to inspire millions.

“I reaffirm my commitment to the values and vision that define the Labour Party — a party of the people, for the people. Now is not the time for distraction or division. Now is the time to build, with unity, courage, and a deep love for our country.

“Together, we will continue this journey of hope, and I pledge to serve with diligence, openness, and unwavering focus on our shared goals. Let us remain steadfast, engaged, and hopeful. The New Nigeria is not a dream deferred — it is a vision in progress,’’ she stated.

Meanwhile, the Julius Aburi led faction has claimed that the Supreme Court Judgment didn’t sack him and his team and there is still a pending case it filled in the

But, contrary to Julius Abure’s claim that the Supreme Court did not sack him as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment has revealed that his cross-appeal was dismissed and deemed unmeritorious. And in addition, his tenure declared expired.

The CTC of the Supreme Court Judgement showed that the Apex Court actually overturned previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, both of which had recognised Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman.

The apex court ruled that the lower courts lacked jurisdiction over the matter, as leadership disputes within a political party were internal issues.

The judgment was delivered by a five-member panel, with Justice John Okoro’s lead judgment emphasising that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, had no jurisdiction to address this issue.

The court also dismissed Abure’s cross-appeal, calling it unmeritorious, while accepting the main appeal brought by Senator Nenadi Usman, the chairperson of the Labour Party’s Caretaker Committee.

And in conclusion, the Supreme Court’s judgment not only removed Abure from office but also served as a cautionary message to political parties to respect their constitutions and the rules governing party leadership, which was the only part Abure has been holding on to.

Subsequent on this ruling by the Supreme Court on the leadership tussle in Labour Party, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Police and other security agencies to step in and enforce pronouncement of the court of law by quitting the Julius Abure- led executives from the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

During the NEC meeting, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged party members not to be afraid of anyone, but speak up, because Nigeria was in a state of collapse and urgently needed rescue.

But the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Wednesday, led a high-level delegation of the party to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to submit the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgement on the leadership crisis in the party.