The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party (LP). The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Justice Lifu stated that the court relied on the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025 verdict to uphold Usman’s leadership, effectively removing Julius Abure as National Chairman. The judge ordered INEC to recognise the Usman-led caretaker committee as the sole authority to represent the party until a national convention is held.
The court affirmed that Abure’s tenure had expired, rejecting claims that the matter was an internal party affair. Justice Lifu emphasised that any contrary ruling would amount to judicial insubordination. The judgement arose from a suit filed by Usman (FHC/ABJ/CS/2262/2025), naming Abure and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as defendants.
Earlier, the LP National Executive Committee had removed Abure and appointed a 29-member caretaker committee chaired by Usman during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, chaired by former presidential candidate Peter Obi and hosted by Abia State Governor Alex Otti. Abure had approached the court to challenge his removal.
