Labour Party Hails Appeal Court Ruling, Says Judgment Affirms Nenadi Usman-Led Leadership
By Yahaya Idris, Abuja
The Labour Party (LP ) has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, describing it as a reaffirmation that only the party’s recognised national leadership led by Senator Nenadi Usman has the authority to initiate or authorise legal proceedings in the party’s name.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the party said the judgment, delivered on July 2, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026: Labour Party & 14 Others v. Abia State Independent Electoral Commission & 4 Others, further clarified the legal position on who may lawfully represent the party in court.
According to the statement, the appeal stemmed from a pre-election dispute after the party’s recognised national leadership allegedly discovered that an appeal had been filed in the Labour Party’s name without its knowledge or approval.
The party said its National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Taiwo Mary Ajayi, subsequently instructed legal practitioner C. Okoroafor to represent the party and take steps to withdraw the appeal.
Labour Party explained that when the matter came before the Court of Appeal, two separate lawyers announced appearances on behalf of the party, prompting the court to direct both counsel to produce documentary evidence of their authority.
The statement said while Mrs. A. Oteh relied on a letter purportedly issued by Mr. C. K. Igara, who identified himself as the party’s South-East Vice Chairman, Mr. Okoroafor presented a letter of authority issued by the Office of the National Legal Adviser on behalf of the party’s recognised national leadership.
According to the party, the Court accepted the authority issued through the National Legal Adviser’s office as the valid authorisation for representation. It added that Mrs. Oteh subsequently withdrew her appearance for the Labour Party as well as the counter-affidavit earlier filed in the matter.
The party further stated that the Court dismissed the appeal and awarded costs of ₦100,000 against counsel who acted on the authority allegedly issued by Mr. Igara.
Reacting to the ruling, the Labour Party described the decision as a significant judicial affirmation that only its duly recognised national leadership can engage legal counsel or commence, defend or sustain litigation in the party’s name. The party also claimed that the judgment reaffirmed Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership as the authentic national leadership of the Labour Party.
The party said it would continue to challenge what it described as attempts by unauthorised persons, including Barr. Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to represent the party or institute legal proceedings in its name without lawful authority.
Labour Party added that it remains committed to the rule of law, constitutional order, internal party discipline and respect for judicial decisions while safeguarding its institutional integrity.
