The Labour Party caucus in the house of representatives has commended the Supreme Court which on Friday sacked Mr Julius Abure as the national chairman of the party.
The lawmakers said in a statement by the leader of the caucus, Mr Afam Ogene that Abure’s removal would bring stability and reinvention to the party.
The statement said the judgement was a timely counsel to leaders who play god in the affairs of men, particularly in a democracy.
Recall that a five-member panel of the Supreme Court nullified the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had earlier declared Abure as the party’s national chairman.
The apex court said in a unanimous judgment that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as the national chairman of the LP, having earlier determined that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
It further emphasised that issues related to party leadership are internal matters that fall outside the judiciary’s jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court also ruled in favour of the appeal filed by the chairperson of the party’s national caretaker committee, Mrs Nenadi Usman and another, stating that it had merit.
In addition, the court noted that, based on the evidence presented, Abure’s tenure had already ended.
Consequently, it dismissed the cross-appeal submitted by Abure’s faction of the LP.
Ogene described the development as a “Veritable tonic for the revitalisation of the party” that was engulfed by leadership tussle in recent times.
He said following the judgment, the party will hasten to put in place the necessary mechanisms to restore internal peace and get the party back on track and reassure its teeming members of its viability for future elections and its commitment to leadership that prioritises the interests and welfare of the people.
“In fact, by next week, we expect the national caretaker committee, led by the former minister of finance, Mrs Nenadi Usman, to convene an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting to chart the way forward,” he noted.
The lawmaker emphasised that the party’s leadership crisis could have been prevented if the ousted chairman and his team heeded the caucus’ advice, or addressed the concerns of other stakeholders.
But rather than heed that patriotic call, Ogene said the party leadership proceeded to unleash tirades against them, abusing them in the media and threatening that they would be denied the party tickets for re-election in 2027.
“That was not only insensitive but undemocratic and disrespectful to the caucus, whose only concern was the peace, unity, sustainability and progress of the party.
“It is this uncertainty of not being sure of getting party ticket in the next general elections that has made the Caucus to lose as much as six members,” Ogene added.
Also reacting, Usman hailed the apex court, describing its judgement as a victory for the rule of law and a significant milestone for the nation’s democracy.
She said in a statement that the LP remains steadfast in its mission to create a new Nigeria.
“The recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which allowed the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman, declaring it meritorious, while dismissing the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party as unmeritorious, is a victory for the rule of law and a significant milestone for our democracy.
“It is important to emphasize that this is not a time for triumphalism, there is no victor and no vanquished. What matters most is our shared commitment to the ideals and aspirations of the Labour Party and the Nigerian people. We must now come together, united in purpose and vision, to move the party forward.
“The Labour Party remains one indivisible family, steadfast in its mission to create a New Nigeria founded on justice, equity, and people-centred governance,” Usman stated.
