1 month ago
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The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, on Wednesday (today), declared that anyone who wins at the party’s forthcoming congress would be allowed to lead, urging aggrieved members to test their popularity at the polls rather than fuel internal discord.
Speaking in Abuja at a one-day high-level strategic multi-level stakeholders’ summit themed “Reuniting the Labour Party Family: Consolidating Strength for Sustainable Political Impact,” held at the party’s national secretariat, Usman said leadership positions in the party would only be determined through democratic processes.
“And if anybody feels strongly that he must occupy any position in the party congresses, go and contest election.
“If you win, you will be declared a winner, and you will come and be the leader of the party or whatever position it is that you are contesting for,” she said.
Naija News reports that Usman specifically called on Julius Abure and members of his camp to retrace their steps and seek relevance through the ballot.
“I call on everyone to please put selfish interest aside, and put the interest of the party in front. Come and let’s work together,” she added.
Her remarks come amid the lingering leadership tussle within the party following a court judgment that removed Abure as National Chairman.
In January, the Federal High Court in Abuja sacked Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his ruling, cited the Supreme Court verdict of April 4, 2025, to declare former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, as the valid leader of the party.
The court further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Usman-led caretaker committee as “the only valid authority to represent the Labour Party,” pending the party’s national convention.
Despite the ruling, Abure and his loyalists have refused to vacate office, maintaining in a statement on Tuesday that they remain in charge of the party’s affairs.
The development has deepened the leadership crisis within the LP, with both camps laying claim to legitimacy.
However, Usman maintained that the path to resolving the impasse lies in internal democracy.
She urged party members to prioritise unity and the long-term survival of the party over personal ambition, insisting that the forthcoming congress offers a level playing field for all aspirants.
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