Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party has been reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which ruled that its earlier decision recognising him remains valid and unchallenged.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, a three-member appellate panel declared that November 13, 2024, ruling, which recognised Abure as chairman, had not been overturned.

This decision effectively nullified the Federal High Court’s October 8, 2024, judgment, which had sought to interfere with the party’s leadership structure.

The court emphasised that leadership matters within political parties are non-justiciable, stating that the Federal High Court acted outside its jurisdiction when it ruled against Abure.

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“Anything done outside jurisdiction amounts to a nullity,” Justice Barka remarked.

This judgment came in response to two separate appeals: one filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and the Labour Party’s caretaker committee, and the other by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The appellate court’s decision to strike out both cases for lack of jurisdiction reinforces the leadership status quo within the Labour Party.

The ruling highlights the court’s reluctance to interfere in internal party matters.

By upholding its earlier judgment, the appellate court has reaffirmed that disputes over party leadership must be resolved within the party structure and not in courts.