Nenadi Usman: LP caretaker committee will appeal order affirming Abure as national chair

Nenadi Usman, chairperson of the caretaker committee of the Labour Party (LP), says the panel would appeal the court verdict that affirmed Julius Abure as national chairman.

On Tuesday, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge at a federal high court in Abuja, validated the Abure-led leadership of the party and the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced the LP’s executives.

Nwite also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Abure as the legitimate chairman of the party.

Reacting to the ruling, Usman said the case precedes the caretaker committee, which later joined the suit after a thorough briefing.

“This evening, I met with His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee),” Usman said in a terse statement.

“We deliberated on the judgment passed today. The case actually preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee.

“However, after being briefed, the Caretaker Committee decided to join the case. Consequently, we have resolved to appeal the judgment accordingly.”

Usman asked party members to exercise restraint and promote harmony amidst the ongoing reconciliation efforts to foster unity and stability.

MY AFFIRMATION IS BEGINING OF A NEW ERA FOR LP — ABURE

However, in a statement on the LP’s official X page, Abure applauded the court judgment, describing it as the “beginning of a new era for the party in Nigeria”.

He promised to immediately begin the rebuilding of the party.

“In the coming days, we will focus on rebuilding our structures, reconnecting with our grassroots, and uniting our members,” the statement reads.

“We will heal old wounds and emerge stronger than ever before. With the collective efforts of all members, we will continue to fight for the interests of the common man and the betterment of Nigeria.”

Abure said the court victory represents a win for justice and democracy, adding that the “well-articulated judgment” has restored faith in Nigeria’s judiciary and rekindled hope for democracy’s survival.

The factional chairman of the opposition party added that he had forgiven his political opponents.

“I offer my forgiveness to those who attempted to undermine our party, engaged in character assassination and blackmail, especially of my person,” Abure said.

“I forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Forgiveness must be accompanied by repentance and restitution.”

Abure appealed to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP in the 2023 elections, to join efforts in uniting the party amidst current challenges.

BACKGROUND

In February, Oluchi Oparah, national treasurer of the party, accused Abure of misappropriating N3.5 billion.

Abure refuted the claim and threatened to sue Oparah, but party members demanded the removal of the national chairman.

In April 2023, the federal capital territory (FCT) high court issued an order restraining Abure from parading himself as the national chairman of the LP.

While ruling on an ex parte application, Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, also restrained Farouk Ibrahim, national secretary; Clement Ojukwu, national organising secretary; and Oparah, treasurer, from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

On September 4, Nenadi Usman, a former senator representing Kaduna south, was appointed to chair a 29-member caretaker committee after Alex Otti, governor of Abia, convened a stakeholders meeting of the party in Umuahia.

Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed, LP vice-presidential candidate, were among the top party members that attended the meeting.