The Labour Party has commended the ruling issued by the Court of Appeal, Owerri Judicial Division, on July 2, 2026, describing it as a reaffirmation of the legitimacy of its recognized national leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman to initiate and manage legal proceedings on behalf of the party.

This ruling was delivered in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026: Labour Party & 14 Others v. Abia State Independent Electoral Commission & 4 Others, which addresses a pre-election dispute arising from earlier proceedings at the Federal High Court.

According to a statement released on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the appeal had been filed in the name of the Labour Party without the knowledge, consent, or authorization of the party’s recognized national leadership.

The statement further explained that upon discovering the appeal, the National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Taiwo Mary Ajayi, Esq., instructed Mr. C. Okoroafor through a formal letter dated June 22, 2026, to represent the party and take the necessary steps to withdraw the case.

During the proceedings at the Court of Appeal, two different attorneys appeared on behalf of the Labour Party, prompting the court to request documentary evidence confirming their authority to represent the party.

While Mrs. A. Oteh, who initiated the appeal, presented a letter allegedly issued by Mr. C. K. Igara, who claimed to be the Labour Party’s South-East Vice Chairman, Mr. Okoroafor relied on a formal authorization letter from the National Legal Adviser representing the party’s recognized national leadership.

After reviewing the documents, the appellate court acknowledged the authority granted through the Office of the National Legal Adviser as the legitimate representation of the Labour Party.

As a result, Mrs. Oteh withdrew both her representation for the party and the counter-affidavit previously submitted against the application for the withdrawal of the appeal. The court subsequently rejected the appeal and imposed costs of N100,000 against the counsel who acted under the alleged authority of Mr. Igara.

In response to the ruling, the Labour Party stated that the decision reinforces the legal principle that only the officially recognized national leadership of the party, through authorized representatives, has the right to engage legal counsel and to initiate, defend, or maintain legal actions in the name of the party.

The party further asserted that the ruling effectively reaffirmed Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership as the legitimate and legally recognized authority of the Labour Party.

Additionally, it pledged to persist in contesting what it termed as efforts by unauthorized individuals, including Barrister Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to represent the party or conduct legal proceedings on its behalf without proper authority.

Reiterating its dedication to democratic principles, the Labour Party committed to upholding the rule of law, constitutional order, internal party discipline, respect for judicial decisions, and the safeguarding of its corporate identity and institutional integrity.

Aslam Aliyu, an ally of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dumped the party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement, Aliyu said the ADC does not have a concrete rescue plan for Nigeria, stating that her decision followed a long reflection on Nigeria’s political direction and the capacity of the opposition to provide alternative governance.

According to her, for almost two decades, she had worked tirelessly within the political camp of Atiku, noting that throughout the entire period, her loyalty never wavered.

She, however, stressed that after almost two decades of dedicated engagement, it has become undeniably clear that the opposition lacks a meaningful development blueprint or a viable and sustainable national rescue plan.

“The ADC has no concrete plan for the country, other than to criticise the government without bringing a single viable solution to the table. Political culture must move past theatrical criticism and embrace measurable progress.

“I am a mother, calling on patriotic Nigerian youths, women, and forward-thinking opposition members to abandon counterproductive politics and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said.

“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge as the winner of the presidential election come 2027, by the grace of Almighty Allah,” she said.

The Zamfara-born politician further stated that her defection was driven by a desire to contribute more effectively to national development under a structured political platform.

Former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, on Monday, said President Bola Tinubu should be given kudos for moving Nigeria forward.

Sheriff said Tinubu has done a lot and wants Nigeria to progress, adding that the president wants freedom for states.

The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, disclosed this while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

According to Sheriff: “What President Tinubu did in this country to ensure this country moves forward, if you don’t give him kudos, you shouldn’t condemn him.

“If at the time Tinubu said there is no fuel subsidy if they didn’t revolt Nigeria won’t have paid its bills for that month. Not only that, he didn’t do that and take the money for himself, he gave it to the states.

“Google and see the 10 highest allocations of states, look at the allocation of states, some states receive as much as N55 billion in one month.

“During my 8 years as governor, the total I received was about N150 billion. Tinubu has done a lot, he wanted the country to progress and freedom for the state.

“Talking about insecurity, yes it’s the responsibility of the Federal government but what you don’t realize it that it’s also the responsibility of the state under the concurrent list, the state has the responsibility of security.”

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