Nenadi Usman: Datti Baba-Ahmed entitled to his opinion, but Abure not LP chairman

The Nenadi Usman faction of the Labour Party (LP) says the leadership dispute in the party has been resolved by the supreme court.

The opposition party has been fractured while battling a leadership crisis that has produced parallel factions.

While Julius Abure leads one group, Usman heads the rival faction as its interim national chairman.

The rift has created uncertainty within the LP as it prepares for the 2027 elections, with both factions asserting legitimacy and control over party activities.

In April, the supreme court ruled that the court of appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as the chairman.

Since the verdict, there have been various interpretations of the apex court’s pronouncement, with all factions claiming victory.

On Monday, Datti Baba-Ahmed, former LP vice-presidential candidate, met with the Abure-led faction of the party.

Baba-Ahmed was quoted to have addressed Abure as the party’s chairman.

He was also featured on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television, where he was reported to have addressed Abure as the party’s chairman.

Reacting in a statement signed by Ken Asogwa, her senior special adviser on media, Usman said Baba-Ahmed’s presence at Abure’s NEC meeting reflected his right to hold personal opinions and associate freely.

Usman said while it is commendable of Baba-Ahmed to foster reconciliation of the aggrieved with the party, it was wrong to address Abure as substantive national chairman of the party.

“The attention of the Labour Party has been drawn to the recent participation of Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, in a meeting reportedly convened by the suspended former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure,” the statement reads.

“At the said gathering, Dr. Baba-Ahmed was alleged to have referred to Barr. Abure as the substantive National Chairman of the party.

“Dr. Baba-Ahmed was also featured on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, earlier today, 23rd July 2025, where he was once again reported to have addressed Barr. Abure as the party’s chairman.

“While Dr. Baba-Ahmed, like every Nigerian, is entitled to his personal opinions and freedom of association, it is imperative to state that the leadership question within the Labour Party has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“For the sake of clarity, and to avoid further distortion of facts, the Labour Party wishes to reiterate the unequivocal verdict of the apex court as delivered on 4th April 2025.”

The party asked members to remain calm and loyal as efforts continue to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders.