*Courts Lack Jurisdiction Over Party Leadership, Overturns Abure Recognition
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The battle for leadership in the Labour Party (LP) took a dramatic turn on Friday after the Supreme Court overturned a prior ruling that had affirmed the legitimacy of the Anambra convention, which ratified the re-election of Julius Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC).
In a unanimous ruling, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court nullified the Court of Appeal’s decision in Abuja, which had previously recognized Abure’s leadership. The apex court emphasized that matters concerning party leadership are internal affairs, falling outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
Court Composition and Ruling:
-
- Court Composition: The case was presided over by a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, including Justices John Okoro, Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, Tijjani Abubakar, Haruna Simon Tsammani, and Mohammed Baba Idris. The lead judgment was delivered by Justice John Okoro.
- Appeals Considered: The judgment addressed appeals against the Court of Appeal, Abuja (CA/ABJ/CV/2017/2024, dated January 17, 2025), and the Federal High Court (FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024).
- Core Issue: The first respondent (Labour Party) sought recognition of Julius Abure as National Chairman, listed as relief number five in their suit.
- Court’s Ruling:
- The Supreme Court unanimously held that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, particularly concerning the leadership dispute.
- The lower courts erred in recognizing Julius Abure as National Chairman, as the issue of party leadership is an internal matter not justiciable by courts.
- The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024) was struck out for lack of jurisdiction.
- The cross-appeal (SC/CV/56A/2025) by the first respondent was also dismissed.
- Legal Principle: The court emphasized that a claim without a justiciable basis cannot stand, and courts should not interfere in political party leadership matters unless jurisdiction is clearly established.
- Admonition: The court urged political parties to follow their constitutions, rules, and guidelines in selecting leaders and candidates to reduce litigation.
- Outcome: The appeal was allowed, overturning the decisions recognizing Julius Abure as National Chairman. Parties are to bear their own costs.
@thenigerialawyerAudio Of Supreme Court’s Ruling On Abure-Led Labour Party Leadership By Justice John Okoro – Listen To The Decision
“In an attempt to twist the judgment, a statement released from Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, praised the Supreme Court’s ruling, affirming that the judgment validated the party’s position that internal political matters should be handled within the party’s structures, not through external interference. He also reiterated that the judgment did not set aside the Court of Appeal ruling in the case of Labour Party vs Ebiseni and Others (CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024), which had upheld Abure’s position as National Chairman.”
Ifoh explained, “The judgment didn’t sack Julius Abure. It upheld the right of the Labour Party to choose its leadership according to its constitution. The judgment also confirmed that the leadership of the party, as per the constitution, resides in the National Working Committee led by Julius Abure.”
The spokesman further emphasized that the March 27, 2024, national convention, which resulted in the election of the current leadership, had been duly recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), confirming the party’s compliance with its constitutional procedures.
Ifoh also referred to the party’s constitution, specifically Article 14 of the 2024 amended constitution, which designates the National Secretary, in consultation with the National Chairman, as the authority to issue notices for national meetings. He made it clear that the gathering held in Umuahia was not in alignment with the party’s constitution, thus rendering any claims about Abure’s removal as misleading.
The Labour Party’s National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, clarified that the court did not state that Abure’s tenure had expired. Instead, the court’s ruling addressed the general principle that political party officials are elected for fixed terms, which they can choose to complete or seek re-election for. He reiterated that the court had not declared Abure’s tenure over, and emphasized that the Labour Party had already held a National Convention in which a new National Executive Committee was elected.
Edun also pointed out that the judgment ruled out the establishment of a caretaker committee, reinforcing the Labour Party’s constitutional guidelines, which do not provide for such a body.
Meanwhile, the Deputy National Chairman of the LP, Ayo Olorunfemi, dismissed claims that Abure had been ousted, referring to the individuals behind such reports as “outsiders” attempting to disrupt the party’s operations. He asserted that the Labour Party’s constitution does not allow for caretaker committees and affirmed that Abure would remain National Chairman until 2028, as prescribed by the party’s constitution.
Olorunfemi also emphasized the role of the National Executive Council (NEC) in ratifying decisions, including the national convention, which could only be challenged by the national convention itself.
The Acting National Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, reacted to the ruling by acknowledging that the NLC had previously attempted to provide Abure with a peaceful exit. He stated that the Supreme Court’s judgment had now made it clear that Abure must leave, with plans to form a caretaker committee to handle the party’s affairs in the interim.
The Labour Party National Caretaker Committee, set up by Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti, expressed support for the judgment, calling it a victory for the rule of law. Senator Nenadi Usman, the committee’s chairperson, described the ruling as a significant step for Nigeria’s democracy. She urged party members to focus on unity and emphasized that the Labour Party must remain steadfast in its mission for a “New Nigeria” built on justice and equity.
Usman added, “This is not a time for triumphalism. We must come together, united in purpose, to move the party forward and ensure its future success.”
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
______________________________________________________________________
“Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
