By Newsshelve Correspondent.
In a significant development, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Abuja Division, has ruled in favour of Senator Nenadi Esther Usman and the National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party (LP).
The court’s decision, delivered on January 17, 2025, upheld the appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024.
The Federal High Court had earlier ruled in favour of Barrister Julius Abure, recognizing him as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
However, the Court of Appeal has now overturned this decision, citing lack of jurisdiction and violation of fair hearing.
According to the Court of Appeal’s judgment, the Federal High Court erred in entertaining the leadership dispute brought before it by Barrister Julius Abure.
The court also held that the Labour Party’s internal affairs, including leadership and management issues, are non-justiciable and outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, the National Caretaker Committee Chairman, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the National Caretaker Committee Secretary, have welcomed the court’s decision.
In a statement the LP National Caretaker Committee emphasized that the Labour Party had constituted a National Caretaker Committee on September 4, 2024, with Senator Usman as Chairman and Senator Nwokocha as Secretary.
The duo has been carrying out their duties effectively, earning admiration from stakeholders and the entire membership of the party.
The court’s ruling has reaffirmed their positions, providing clarity on the leadership structure of the Labour Party.
The Court of Appeal had earlier delivered a judgment on November 13, 2024, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, which pertained to the nomination of a Governorship Candidate for the Ondo State Governorship Election.
However, the LP Caretaker Committee has maintained that the court’s finding in that judgment, which “admitted” Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, was inconsistent with the substantive judgment and unrelated to the leadership dispute.
The Labour Party’s leadership structure has been a subject of controversy in recent times. However, with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, the party’s National Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Nenadi Esther Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, has been reaffirmed as the legitimate leadership of the party.
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