Labour Party Hails Appeal Court Ruling Affirming Nenadi Usman-Led Leadership as Sole Authority for Party Litigation
The Labour Party has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, describing it as another judicial affirmation that only the party’s recognised national leadership led by Senator Nenadi Usman has the legal authority to authorise litigation in its 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 clarifies the legal position on who can institute, defend or maintain court actions on behalf of the party.
According to the statement, the appeal arose from a pre-election dispute following an earlier decision of the Federal High Court. The party explained that it discovered an appeal had been filed in its name without the knowledge, approval or authorisation of its recognised national leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman.
Following the discovery, the National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Taiwo Mary Ajayi, formally instructed Mr. C. Okoroafor through a letter dated June 22, 2026, to represent the Labour Party and take the necessary legal steps to withdraw the appeal.
At the hearing before the Court of Appeal, two separate lawyers appeared claiming to represent the Labour Party. In response to the conflicting representations, the appellate court directed both counsel to produce documentary evidence proving their authority to act on behalf of the party.
While Mrs. A. Oteh, who initially filed the appeal, relied on a letter purportedly issued by Mr. C. K. Igara, who identified himself as the South-East Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Okoroafor presented an official letter of authority issued by the National Legal Adviser on behalf of the party’s recognised national leadership.
After reviewing the documents, the Court of Appeal upheld the authority issued through the Office of the National Legal Adviser as the valid authorisation to represent the Labour Party.
Consequently, Mrs. Oteh withdrew both her appearance for the party and the counter-affidavit previously filed in opposition to the application seeking the withdrawal of the appeal. The court subsequently dismissed the appeal and awarded costs of ₦100,000 against counsel who acted on the authority presented by Mr. C. K. Igara.
Reacting to the ruling, the Labour Party described the decision as a significant victory for the rule of law and internal party governance. It stated that the judgment reinforces the legal principle that only the duly recognised national leadership, acting through its authorised officers, has the power to engage lawyers or commence, defend and sustain legal proceedings in the party’s name.
The party also maintained that the judgment effectively reaffirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the authentic and valid leader of the Labour Party.
Furthermore, the party vowed to continue challenging what it described as attempts by unauthorised individuals, including Barrister Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to present themselves as representatives of the Labour Party or institute legal actions on its behalf without lawful authority.
The statement added that the Labour Party remains committed to upholding the rule of law, constitutional order, internal party discipline, respect for judicial decisions, and the protection of its institutional integrity.
