BREAKING NEWS !!!
Appeal Court, Abuja Division, dismisses Abure’s Appeal against judgment of Federal High Court delivered on 21st January 2026 directing INEC to recognise and deal with Interim Caretaker National Working Committee of Labour Party headed by Senator Nenadi Usman following judgment of the Supreme Courr delivered in April 2025 to the effect that tenure of Abure led National Exco of the party had expired. The courf further held that Nasarawa High Court judge who gave interim order against Nenadi Usman was reckless in so doing as it acted without jurisdiction.
The judgment further affirmed that the constitution of the interim committee is an internal affair of Labour party. Contary to argument of Appellant counsel in their brief settled by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, the suit in the lower court was against INEC and not an internal affair of the party. The decision of the lower court is affirmed. Appeal devoid of merit.
Cost of N10m awarded against Abure. The biggest victor in the appeal would seem to be Dr Alex Otti , the Gov of Abia state. He had applied to be joined as a 5th Respondent in the appeal as a person who’s constitutional right to seek nomination of the party to contest for a second term as Governor of Abia state would be jeopardized if the judgment of the trial high was overturned in the appeal , as the party would be left without a competent national executive to conduct party primaries adn sponsor candidates at the general election. The award of 10million naira in favour of the respondent is a reflection of the provision of the new 2026 Electoral Act provides that any any person who seek to prosecute a case bordering on internal affairs of political parties (outside of the narrow exceptions recognised by law ) will be damnified in cost of at least 10million naira in favour of the adverse victorious litigants. enjoins the
“Final Blow in Court” — Court of Appeal Dismisses Julius Abure’s Case, Upholds Nenadi Usman Leadership
