The Supreme Court has ruled that the Court of Appeal had no right to declare Abure as LP Chairman, stating that the Appeal Court overstepped its jurisdiction in the matter. The apex court, in a unanimous decision, held that political party leadership disputes are internal affairs that should not be decided by the judiciary.
According to the five-member panel of Supreme Court justices, the Appeal Court lacked the power to impose leadership on the Labour Party. This landmark ruling overturns the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision, which had recognized Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman.
Appeal Court Overstepped in Labour Party Leadership Dispute
The Supreme Court harshly condemned the Appeal Court’s ruling, emphasizing that only political parties have the authority to determine their leadership.
“Anything done outside jurisdiction amounts to a nullity,” the Supreme Court ruled, while upholding the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman and another party member.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure-led Labour Party faction, insisting that their arguments lacked legal merit.
Supreme Court’s Ruling Invalidates Previous Appeal Court Judgment
Back in January 2024, the Court of Appeal in Abuja had ruled that Julius Abure remained the Labour Party’s National Chairman. A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, ruled that its November 13, 2024 judgment remained valid and had not been overturned.
However, the Supreme Court has now ruled that the Appeal Court had no right to declare Abure as LP Chairman. The apex court stated that leadership matters within political parties are not justiciable, and the judiciary cannot interfere.
Additionally, the Supreme Court ruled that the Federal High Court’s earlier judgment, delivered on October 8, 2024, by Justice Emeka Nwite, was void because it was issued without jurisdiction.
What This Means for Labour Party
With this ruling, Julius Abure’s claim to Labour Party’s chairmanship is now in question. The Supreme Court’s decision reinforces the principle that courts cannot dictate political party leadership and that any attempt to use the judiciary for such disputes will be dismissed as lacking jurisdiction.
This judgment confirms that the Appeal Court had no right to declare Abure as LP Chairman, leaving the Labour Party with no choice but to resolve its leadership issues internally.
