The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally delisted the executive members of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party from its official portal, replacing them with the leadership led by Nenadi Usman.
The transition, which was observed during a verification of the commission’s digital registry, follows a decisive legal resolution regarding the party’s protracted internal leadership dispute. The electoral body has now updated its records to reflect the new hierarchy, accompanied by a specific notation indicating that the changes were executed in direct compliance with a subsisting court order.
This administrative action stems from a verdict delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on 21 January. In the ruling, Mr Justice Peter Lifu ordered the removal of Mr Abure as the National Chairman of the party. The court’s decision was grounded in the precedent established by the Supreme Court’s verdict of 4 April 2025, which paved the way for the recognition of Dr Nenadi Usman, a former Minister of Finance, as the legally valid chairperson of the Labour Party.
In accordance with the judicial directive, Dr Usman’s name now occupies the position of National Chairman on the INEC portal. Furthermore, the commission has registered the following individuals as the party’s principal officers:
National Secretary: Mr Darlington Nwokocha, National Treasurer: Mr Hamisu Santuraki, National Financial Secretary: Ms Aisha Madije, and National Legal Adviser: Mr Eric Ifere
INEC has been explicit in its justification for the update, stating clearly on its platform that the current list of leaders follows the specific dictates of the court. This move is seen by political analysts as a significant step towards concluding the uncertainty that has surrounded the party’s administration for several months.
The delisting of the Abure-led executive effectively concludes their formal recognition by the state’s electoral umpire, solidifying the Usman-led faction’s authority to manage the party’s affairs and engage in future electoral processes.
