Joy Yesufu and Kamsi Anayo
The Supreme Court on Friday removed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, ruling that leadership disputes within political parties fall outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
Delivering a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the apex court overturned the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognised Abure as the party’s national chairman.
The justices held that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction in the matter, stressing that internal leadership tussles are considered intra-party affairs and are not justiciable under Nigerian law.
The Supreme Court also allowed the appeal filed by Senator Esther Usman and another, describing it as meritorious.
In a significant observation, the court noted that Abure’s tenure as party chairman had already expired. As a result, it dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Abure’s faction of the Labour Party.
