In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has removed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), a decision welcomed by the Labour Party House of Representatives caucus as a “tonic for party stability”.

The apex court’s unanimous ruling held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as the National Chairman of the LP, having earlier determined that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.

According to Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, leader of the caucus, the ruling serves as a warning to leaders who play ‘god’ in a democracy, where the people ought to hold the ultimate authority. Ogene described the development as a “veritable tonic for the revitalization of the party” that has been engulfed by leadership tussle in recent times.

The Labour Party will now hasten to implement necessary mechanisms to restore internal peace and get the party back on track. By next week, the National Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, is expected to convene an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting to chart the way forward.

The leadership crisis could have been prevented if Abure and his team heeded the Caucus’ advice or addressed the concerns of other stakeholders.

Instead, Abure ignored these warnings, creating an environment for crisis to fester. The Caucus had emphasized the need for caution and sensitivity in managing the party’s affairs, but Abure’s leadership proceeded to unleash tirades against them.

The uncertainty surrounding party tickets for re-election in 2027 has already led to the loss of six caucus members. With Abure’s removal, the party can now focus on reassessing its viability for future elections and its commitment to leadership that prioritizes the interests and welfare of the people.