LP: Nenadi Usman’s faction cautions Datti Baba-Ahmed against addressing Abure as chairman

The two contending groups in the Labour Party (LP) clashed again on Wednesday over the authentic leadership of the party.

The development came as the Chairman of the Interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, warned its 2023 presidential running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, against addressing Mr Julius Abure as the chairman of the party.

Abure is the chairman of the NWC, which the Usman-led camp insists was sacked by the April 4 judgment of the Supreme Court.

Usman, speaking through her media aide, Mr Ken Asogwa, faulted Baba-Ahmed for allegedly referring to Abure as “substantive chairman” of the LP during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened by the Abure leadership in Abuja on Monday.

She also said Baba-Ahmed referred to Abure as chairman a second time when he appeared for an interview with a private television station on Wednesday morning.

A statement issued on her behalf by Asogwa reads partly, “While Dr Baba-Ahmed, like every Nigerian, is entitled to his personal opinions and freedom of association, it is imperative to state that the leadership question within the Labour Party has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

“For the sake of clarity, and to avoid further distortion of facts, the Labour Party wishes to reiterate the unequivocal verdict of the apex court as delivered on 4th April 2025. At page 47 of the judgement, Their Lordships held:

‘Consequent upon the foregoing, the decisions of both trial court and the court below recognizing Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the 1st Respondent are hereby set aside and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024 is hereby struck out for want of jurisdiction.’

“Furthermore, the Court ruled:
‘In the final analysis, I find this appeal to be meritorious and is hereby allowed. Parties shall bear their respective costs. Appeal Allowed.’”

“This unambiguous ruling of the Supreme Court – Nigeria’s highest judicial authority – effectively nullifies any claim by Barr. Julius Abure to the office of National Chairman of the Labour Party. It also upholds the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, who was the appellant in the said matter and upon whose appeal all reliefs sought were granted.”

The faction added that while it recognised the right of Baba-Ahmed to hold personal views, he should be reminded that the Supreme Court had decided the question of the leadership of the LP.

The statement added, “We acknowledge Dr Baba-Ahmed’s stated intention to foster reconciliation within the party. That in itself is commendable. However, such efforts must be rooted in truth, guided by respect for the rule of law, and anchored on the existing legal realities.”

“As the Labour Party prepares for its ward, local government, and state congresses – culminating in the forthcoming national convention – the Interim National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, continues to call for peace, unity, and internal cohesion.”

“Only a united Labour Party can effectively confront and offer a credible alternative to the APC-led federal government and its failed governance trajectory.”

“We urge all party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and resolute as the leadership reaches out to all aggrieved members in the interest of lasting reconciliation and progress.”

However, Abure’s NWC, in a reaction, accused the Usman camp of misinforming Nigerians even when it knew that the Supreme Court did not hand it the leadership of the party, but merely advised political parties to resolve their disputes using internal mechanisms.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, said Usman, whom he claimed had joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), lacked the authority to speak on LP affairs.

Ifoh stated, “It is clear that Nenadi Usman, now a member of the ADC coalition and her co-travellers have chosen to be blind on that Supreme Court judgement over lack of jurisdiction by courts.”

“Through her aide, she just quoted a part of apex court judgement which clearly stated that the lower courts lack jurisdiction to have entertained the matter. For the upteenth time, the apex court merely ruled on the lack of jurisdiction of the courts, (including itself) to entertain any matter concerning internal party affairs.”

“If the courts lack jurisdiction, will the Supreme Court violate its own judgement on jurisdiction. They have continued to misinform Nigerians but unfortunately for them, Nigerians are wiser.”

“We have moved on with this court thing and anyone choosing to dwell in the past can as well remain there. As you can see, the Labour Party is focused on 2027 and serious aspirants have started showing interest in working with the party. Let the wailers continue to wail but we have refused to be distracted.”

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