Ogene said the party must now move quickly to implement reforms and restore internal peace, adding that a stakeholders meeting would be convened soon by the National Caretaker Committee (NCC).
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Members of the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives have hailed the Supreme Court’s decision removing Julius Abure as national chairman of the party, describing it as a welcome development and a catalyst for restoring unity within the party.
The lawmakers, further said the ruling offers a much-needed opportunity for the party to reinvent itself after months of internal conflict.
Leader of the caucus, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, said in a statement issued on Friday, April 4, 2025, that the apex court’s judgment would revitalise the party and prevent future authoritarian leadership.
“This judgment is a veritable tonic for the revitalisation of our party,” Ogene stated. “It sends a clear message to those who would attempt to play god in a democracy that power ultimately belongs to the people.”
The Supreme Court on Friday, April 4, 2025, overturned a decision by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which had recognised Abure as the LP national chairman. The five-member panel ruled that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to make such a pronouncement, having earlier determined that the substantive case centred on the party’s internal leadership.
Reacting to the ruling, Ogene said the party must now move quickly to implement reforms and restore internal peace, adding that a stakeholders meeting would be convened soon by the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) led by former Finance Minister, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman.
He noted that the leadership crisis could have been avoided if Abure had listened to calls from stakeholders for caution and dialogue. Instead, he said, the former chairman chose to ignore these concerns, which led to deepening divisions within the party.
“In March 2024, we called for a postponement of the National Convention to allow more time for consultations,” Ogene recalled. “But the party leadership responded with media attacks and threats, including moves to deny us tickets for the 2027 elections. That was undemocratic and disrespectful.”
Ogene said the resulting instability led to the loss of at least six members from the LP caucus, attributing it to the uncertainty created by the internal wrangling.
With the court’s decision, the lawmakers expressed hope that the party would refocus on its core values and prepare more effectively for upcoming elections.