The Labour Party has said that the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Judicial Division, delivered on July 2, 2026, has ended attempts at leadership impersonation and affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s authentic national leader.
The judgment was delivered in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026: Labour Party & 14 Others v. Abia State Independent Electoral Commission & 4 Others, a pre-election dispute that originated from the Federal High Court.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, in a statement issued, said, the appeal was filed in the name of the Labour Party without the knowledge, approval, or authorisation of the recognised national leadership under Senator Usman.
“Upon discovering the unauthorised filing, 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 steps to withdraw the matter,” he said.
Asogwa noted that at the Court of Appeal, two separate lawyers announced appearances for the Labour Party, which compelled the panel to demand documentary evidence establishing their authority to act for the party.
According to him, Mrs. A. Oteh, who filed the appeal, presented a letter allegedly issued by Mr. C. K. Igara, who identified himself as the Labour Party’s South-East Vice Chairman. Mr. Okoroafor, however, relied on a formal authorisation letter issued by the National Legal Adviser on behalf of the party’s recognised national leadership.
“After reviewing both documents, the appellate court accepted the authority issued through the Office of the National Legal Adviser as the valid authorisation representing the Labour Party,” Asogwa stated.
He added that following the court’s decision, Mrs. Oteh withdrew 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 acting on the purported authority of Mr. Igara,” he said.
Asogwa further said that the ruling reinforces the principle that only the duly recognised national leadership, acting through authorised officers, can engage legal counsel and institute or defend legal actions in the party’s name.
“We will continue to challenge attempts by unauthorised individuals, including Barrister Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to represent the party or conduct legal proceedings on its behalf without lawful authority,” he stated.
