A Federal High Court judgement intended to settle the bitter leadership crisis within Nigeria’s Labour Party has instead ignited new discord, threatening to prolong the party’s internal war. The court ordered the electoral commission to recognize Senator Nenadi Usman’s faction as the party’s only legitimate leadership.

The Usman-led group hailed the decision as a “victory for democracy” and immediately offered an olive branch to rivals, declaring “no victor, no vanquished.” They announced plans to form a reconciliation committee, urging all aggrieved members to embrace dialogue for the sake of party unity.

However, the faction loyal to Julius Abure rejected the ruling outright and announced an immediate appeal. A spokesman for the Abure group accused the court of contradicting the Supreme Court and alleged bias, citing unusual procedures before the judgement was delivered.

The opposing group argued that the High Court effectively appointed a party leader, which they claim goes against the Supreme Court’s past stance that leadership is an internal party matter. They labeled the judgement a “clear contradiction” and a miscarriage of justice.

This legal fight is the latest chapter in a long and public struggle for control of the Labour Party. The dispute has crippled the party’s cohesion and hampered its role as a political opposition.

With one side claiming a mandated fresh start and the other vowing to fight on in a higher court, the path to stability for the Labour Party remains deeply uncertain. The appeal ensures the internal conflict will continue to play out in the public eye.

The ongoing division raises serious questions about the party’s ability to present a united front and rebuild its strength ahead of future elections.