ABUJA, Nigeria – The Labour Party (LP) crisis reached a new flashpoint on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 as the faction led by former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, formally announced the suspension of Julius Abure, the party’s embattled former National Chairman, citing the expiration of his tenure and violations of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
At a press conference held at the National Press Centre in Abuja, the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) disclosed that it had constituted a disciplinary panel to investigate Abure’s leadership and issued a 48-hour ultimatum for him to stop parading himself as chairman.
Supreme Court Judgment Sparks Disciplinary Action
Senator Usman, who leads the NCC aligned with key party figures Governor Alex Otti and Mr Peter Obi, anchored her justification on the 4 April 2025 Supreme Court judgment which she said invalidated Abure’s claim to the national chairmanship of the LP.
“After a careful and comprehensive review of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on Friday, 4 April 2025, the National Executive Council (NEC) is deeply concerned by the subsequent actions of Barr. Julius Abure,” Usman stated.
“These actions have not only violated the spirit and letter of the law but have also tarnished the image and integrity of our great party.”
She accused Abure of continued impersonation, stating that the court had clearly set aside all lower court decisions recognising him as chairman.
Quoting Justice John Inyang Okoro’s ruling, she said: “The decisions of the trial court and the court below, recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the first respondent (Labour Party), are hereby set aside.”
48-Hour Ultimatum
The NCC has now commenced disciplinary procedures against Abure, beginning with the formation of a special investigative committee to probe his tenure and public conduct.
“In line with due process and the party constitution, the NEC gives Mr Abure 48 hours to show why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his numerous acts of misconduct against the party,” Usman said.
She added that a formal notice of the disciplinary action would be delivered to Abure’s last known address, warning that “his continued acts of reckless denigration of party leadership and open hostility towards the party will attract severe sanctions.”
Vote of Confidence in Otti and Obi
While denouncing Abure’s conduct, the Usman-led faction passed a vote of confidence in Governor Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Usman described the duo as central to the party’s rebuilding process and reaffirmed her leadership’s commitment to national transformation.
“The Labour Party stands united, disciplined, and reinvigorated under my leadership,” she declared. “We will no longer tolerate impunity, illegality, or personal ambition above party interest.”
She urged members across the country to support the current leadership and reject attempts by Abure to sow division.
“Abure has played his last card and is just clutching at straws,” she said.
As of press time, Julius Abure had not publicly responded to the Usman-led faction’s disciplinary measures.
