Supreme Court Dismisses Abure as Labour Party Chairman, Overrules Appeal Court Verdict
ABUJA, NIGERIA — In a landmark decision that may redefine the judiciary’s involvement in political party disputes, the Supreme Court on Friday struck out the Appeal Court’s ruling that had previously affirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), citing lack of
WATCH VIDEO
A five-member panel of the apex court ruled unanimously, declaring that the leadership crisis within the Labour Party was purely an internal affair, far beyond the reach of judicial adjudication. The justices emphasized that the courts must steer clear of meddling in intra-party squabbles, sending a clear message about the limits of judicial intervention in political party affairs.
This judgment effectively dismantles Abure’s legal claim to the national chairmanship, plunging the already embattled Labour Party deeper into crisis. With the apex court’s ruling, the party is now caught in a fresh storm of leadership uncertainty, raising questions about its stability ahead of future elections.
The Supreme Court’s decision overrides the earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had in January reinstated Abure. That court had set aside a prior ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, which invalidated Abure’s leadership on grounds of procedural irregularities. The Appeal Court had argued that party leadership matters were not justiciable and thus outside the court’s purview.
Ironically, it is that very reasoning which the Supreme Court has now echoed—albeit to a drastically different conclusion. While the appellate court used the argument to uphold Abure’s position, the Supreme Court used it to nullify the appeal entirely, stating that the courts should have never entertained the leadership suit in the first place.
The verdict leaves the Labour Party in limbo, with no clear direction on who holds the reins. Political analysts warn that this power vacuum could fracture the party even further, especially as internal factions vie for dominance.
As the dust settles on this explosive ruling, party loyalists and stakeholders are left asking: Who now leads the Labour Party? And more importantly, can the party survive this internal implosion?
Reference
Supreme Court Dismisses Abure as Labour Party Chairman, Overrules Appeal Court Verdict