Legal firestorm erupts after LP VP candidate publicly recognises suspended chairman against apex court decision
Byline : IDNN Political Desk
ABUJA — Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, has come under intense fire after referring to Julius Abure as the party’s “substantive chairman” during a public event — a statement that contradicts a Supreme Court ruling delivered earlier this year.
The remarks, made during a recent LP gathering in Abuja and echoed during a live appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, have triggered sharp responses from the Nenadi Usman-led faction of the party, which insists Abure has no legal standing to lead the Labour Party.
“The Supreme Court has settled this issue. Abure is not chairman. Datti’s comments are unfortunate and misleading,” the faction stated.
Supreme Court verdict: Final and binding
The Supreme Court ruling delivered on April 4, 2025, invalidated the lower court judgments that had previously recognized Julius Abure as the party’s chairman. Instead, it affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate interim leader.
Referencing page 47 of the judgment, the court ruled:
“Decisions of both trial court and the Court of Appeal recognizing Abure are hereby set aside… Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024 is struck out for want of jurisdiction.”
“The appeal is allowed in its entirety. All parties shall bear their respective costs.”
Labour Party: Datti’s personal opinion cannot override the law
In a strongly worded statement issued by Mr. Asogwa, spokesperson for the Nenadi Usman faction, the party reaffirmed that while Datti Baba-Ahmed is entitled to personal opinions, his public statements cannot be allowed to contradict judicial authority.
“Adherence to the finality of Supreme Court judgements is not optional. It is compulsory,” the statement read.
The party emphasized that any efforts at reconciliation must be “rooted in truth, guided by law, and anchored in legal reality.”
Context: Abure’s lingering faction and Obi’s quiet diplomacy
Although Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has largely avoided public entanglements in the leadership rift, his visible association with both Abure and the Abia State faction backing Usman has raised eyebrows.
This latest episode now puts added pressure on Obi’s inner circle to clarify the party’s direction ahead of upcoming ward, local government, and state congresses.
“Datti’s comments muddied the waters,” a party strategist told IDNN. “We need a clean legal posture before the convention season begins.”
Internal unity or new fragmentation?
As the Labour Party prepares for a full convention to reset its leadership structure, the backlash over Datti’s endorsement of Abure threatens to deepen internal divisions.
Legal experts warn that continued disregard for the court ruling could result in further litigation and even INEC sanctions, particularly if parallel conventions emerge.
“This is no longer politics — it’s law,” said Barr. Ini Umoh, a constitutional lawyer. “Parties can’t flout the apex court and still expect to contest elections without chaos.”
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