- Datti’s recognition of Abure as LP chair sparks response from Usman faction, citing supreme court’s final judgment.
- Usman describes Baba-Ahmed’s presence at Abure’s NEC meeting as personal association, not a party-endorsed stance.
The faction of the Labour Party led by the interim national chairman, Nenadi Usman, has insisted that the party’s leadership tussle was conclusively resolved by the supreme court.
The opposition party has remained polarised, with Usman and Julius Abure laying claim to the national chairmanship.
Both groups have continued to assert legitimacy as the 2027 elections draw closer.
In April, the supreme court held that the court of appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as LP chairman.
Since then, rival interpretations of the ruling have fuelled further tension in the party.
On Monday, the former vice-presidential candidate of the LP, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, met with the Abure-led faction.
During the meeting, Baba-Ahmed was reported to have addressed Abure as the party’s chairman.
He also featured on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, where he again referred to Abure as LP chairman.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Ken Asogwa, Usman said Baba-Ahmed was entitled to his opinion and association.
She, however, noted that it was wrong to describe Abure as the party’s substantive chairman.
“The attention of the Labour Party has been drawn to the recent participation of Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, in a meeting reportedly convened by the suspended former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure,” the statement reads.
“At the said gathering, Dr. Baba-Ahmed was alleged to have referred to Barr. Abure as the substantive National Chairman of the party.”
“Dr. Baba-Ahmed was also featured on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, earlier today, 23rd July 2025, where he was once again reported to have addressed Barr. Abure as the party’s chairman.”
“While Dr. Baba-Ahmed, like every Nigerian, is entitled to his personal opinions and freedom of association, it is imperative to state that the leadership question within the Labour Party has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
“For the sake of clarity, and to avoid further distortion of facts, the Labour Party wishes to reiterate the unequivocal verdict of the apex court as delivered on 4th April 2025.”
Usman urged party members to remain loyal and committed to the reconciliation process.