The Labour Party has said Julius Abure is still its national chairman despite a ruling on Friday by the Supreme Court.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognised Abure as the party’s national chairman.

The Supreme Court said the case against Abure was an internal party problem, and the appellate court lacked the jurisdiction to settle it.

It emphasised that the judiciary lacks jurisdiction over party internal affairs, adding that the appeal filed by Senator Esther Usman and another was allowed, being meritorious.

The apex court also pointed out that Abure’s tenure had already expired, just as it dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party.

However, the party's spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, said that the ruling doesn't affect Abure's position as national chairman.

“Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can determine who their leaders are. It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties. Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party,” Ifoh said.

ASA