Labour Party Caretaker Committee Takes Leadership Dispute to the Supreme Court
19th January 2025
PRESS RELEASE
“WE ARE GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT”
– LP National Caretaker Committee
The Labour Party Caretaker Committee has announced plans to approach the Supreme Court for further clarification on the ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, the Chairman of the Committee, confirmed this decision over the weekend, stating that the recent rulings from the Court of Appeal, dated November 13, 2024, and January 17, 2025, have raised issues that can only be resolved by the Supreme Court. The Caretaker Committee has already instructed their legal counsel to proceed with the necessary steps.
Supporters of the Caretaker Committee nationwide have been asked to remain patient as the legal process unfolds.
It is important to recall that on September 4, 2024, key figures of the party, including Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate, and Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, alongside other influential members, convened in Umuahia, Abia State. At this meeting, they established the Caretaker Committee to organize an inclusive National Convention, following the legal actions initiated by the Julius Abure-led faction.
The National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, and Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, issued the following statement regarding the latest Appeal Court judgment.
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RULING IN APPEAL NO: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024
Senator Nenadi Esther Usman & Anor v. Labour Party & Anor
As the recognized National Caretaker Committee leadership of the Labour Party, we, on behalf of ourselves and our fellow committee members, feel it is important to clarify and correct the public record.
On January 17, 2025, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, delivered a favorable ruling in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024, which was an appeal against the Federal High Court’s judgment (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024) issued on October 8, 2024 by Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite. The Court of Appeal ruled in our favor on several key points:
1. Jurisdictional Ruling: The Court of Appeal confirmed that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the leadership dispute filed by Barr. Julius Abure.
2. Error in the Federal High Court: The Court of Appeal also ruled that the Federal High Court made an error by considering the leadership issue, as it was outside its jurisdiction.
3. Violation of Fair Hearing: The Court of Appeal found that our right to a fair hearing had been violated because the Federal High Court failed to consider our Counter-Affidavit in opposition to the suit.
As a result, the Court of Appeal dismissed the case filed in the Federal High Court for lack of jurisdiction.
We would also like to address a misinterpretation in the Court of Appeal’s ruling of November 13, 2024, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024. In that ruling, the court mistakenly stated that Julius Abure had been “admitted as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.” This finding is irrelevant to the current leadership dispute, as it pertains to the nomination of a governorship candidate for the Ondo State election and has no bearing on the leadership matter in the present case.
Additionally, we reaffirm the well-established legal principle in Nigeria that courts do not have the authority to intervene in the internal affairs of political parties, particularly in matters relating to party leadership. We commend the Court of Appeal for reaffirming this principle and upholding the position that the leadership dispute is non-justiciable.
Lastly, we remind the public that on September 4, 2024, the Labour Party constituted a National Caretaker Committee, with Senator Nenadi Esther Usman as Chairman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as Secretary. Since then, both have been diligently executing their duties to the satisfaction of party members and stakeholders.
Signed:
Senator Nenadi Esther Usman
National Caretaker Committee Chairman
Senator Darlington Nwokocha
National Caretaker Committee Secretary
