The ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party escalated on Saturday as the 29-member caretaker committee, appointed by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, cautioned Julius Abure against continuing to represent himself as the national chairman.
In a statement released in Abuja, the committee, chaired by Senator Nenadi Usman, reaffirmed its authority over the party’s affairs, citing the mandate granted to them by party stakeholders at an emergency convention.
This development follows Abure’s recent victory at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which upheld the Labour Party’s March 2024 national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, thereby confirming his position as national chairman.
The appellate court, led by Justice Hamma Barka, based its ruling on an earlier judgment delivered on November 13, 2024, in Appeal Number CA/Abj/CV/1172/2024 involving the Labour Party as the appellant and Chief Olusola Ebiseni along with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents.
A three-member panel of justices, headed by Barka, ruled on two separate appeals filed by Senator Usman’s caretaker committee and INEC. The court maintained that the Labour Party’s internal leadership dispute was not subject to judicial intervention.
Additionally, the court ruled that any decisions made beyond its jurisdiction were null and void, thereby invalidating and striking out the October 8, 2024, Federal High Court ruling delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite.
Caretaker Committee Challenges Court Ruling
In response to the appellate court’s decision, Senator Usman and the caretaker committee’s national secretary, Darlington Nwokocha, released a joint statement rejecting the judgment and insisting on their legitimacy.
They argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction, made significant legal errors, and violated their right to a fair hearing.
Their statement read:
“As the duly appointed National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Secretary of the Labour Party, we find it imperative to address the public and clarify the situation.
“The Court of Appeal acknowledged that Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, filed by Julius Abure at the Federal High Court, concerned an internal leadership dispute—an issue over which the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction.
“The Federal High Court, therefore, acted beyond its authority by entertaining the matter. Furthermore, it failed to uphold our right to a fair hearing by disregarding our counter-affidavit in opposition to Abure’s claims.
“Lastly, we remind the public that on September 4, 2024, the Labour Party established a National Caretaker Committee, appointing us as chairman and secretary. Since then, we have diligently fulfilled our responsibilities, earning the trust and support of party stakeholders and members.”
Despite the Court of Appeal’s ruling, the caretaker committee maintains its stance, deepening the ongoing leadership tussle within the party.
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