Labour Party Crisis: Court Judgment a Victory for Democracy, Says CNPP
Labour Party Crisis: Court Judgment a Victory for Democracy, Says CNPP
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country, has described the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, affirming Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the valid National Chairman of the Labour Party as “a clear victory for constitutionalism, internal party democracy, and the supremacy of the rule of law.”
In a strongly worded press statement issued on Tuesday, the CNPP said the ruling, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Nenadi Usman–led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate authority of the Labour Party pending the conduct of a national convention, represents a major boost for Nigeria’s democratic development.
According to the CNPP, the judgment, which it noted was “firmly anchored on the binding decision of the Supreme Court,” sends “an unmistakable signal that no individual ambition, factional interest, or political manipulation can lawfully override the authority of party constitutions and established democratic procedures.”
“The CNPP warmly welcomes and commends the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which affirmed Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the valid National Chairman of the Labour Party and ordered INEC to recognise the Nenadi Usman–led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate authority of the party pending the conduct of a national convention,” the statement said.
The group went further to praise the judiciary for what it described as courage and integrity in handling the matter, stressing that the ruling stands out in a challenging political climate.
“The CNPP particularly salutes the courage, clarity, and integrity displayed by the judiciary in this matter,” the statement read. “In a political environment where undue influence, intimidation, and coercion are often deployed to bend institutions to partisan interests, this judgment stands out as a reassuring testament to judicial independence.”
The CNPP warned that Nigeria’s democracy would remain endangered if the judiciary failed to act boldly in the face of pressure. “Unless the judiciary continues to act with boldness and fearlessness—resisting political pressure and vested interests—Nigeria’s democracy will regrettably continue to suffer stagnation and retardation,” it stated.
Addressing the broader implications of the ruling, the CNPP stressed that democracy cannot thrive where court orders are ignored or selectively obeyed. “Democracy cannot deepen where court orders are treated with contempt or subjected to selective obedience,” the statement said, adding that it also “cannot flourish where party constitutions are trivialised and internal democracy sacrificed on the altar of personal control and selfish ambition.”
The organisation said the Labour Party leadership crisis, now resolved by the courts, should serve as a warning to all political actors. “The leadership crisis in the Labour Party, now decisively addressed by the courts, must serve as a lesson to all political parties and actors that impunity is incompatible with democratic governance,” it declared.
The CNPP also issued a broader call to political parties and leaders across the country to recommit to democratic principles. “The CNPP therefore calls on all political parties and political leaders in Nigeria to shun selfish interests and recommit themselves to politics guided strictly by rules, principles, and respect for party constitutions,” the statement said.
It emphasised that political parties must respect internal structures and collective decisions. “Political parties must uphold their internal organs, respect collective decisions, and recognise that the supremacy of the party is superior to the ambitions of any individual or group,” the CNPP noted, stressing that “only in this way can parties earn public trust and contribute meaningfully to democratic consolidation.”
Turning to implementation of the judgment, the CNPP urged the electoral body and other authorities to act without delay. “We also urge INEC and all relevant authorities to give full, immediate, and unambiguous effect to the judgment of the court,” it said, warning that “the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral and democratic system depends not only on sound judicial pronouncements but also on their faithful and timely implementation.”
The CNPP congratulated Senator Nenadi Usman and members of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee, while urging restraint and inclusiveness in the discharge of their duties. “The CNPP congratulates Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and members of the Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party and urges them to discharge their mandate with restraint, inclusiveness, and strict adherence to the party constitution, as they work towards a credible, transparent, and unifying national convention,” the statement added.
Concluding, the CNPP reaffirmed its belief that strong institutions and principled leadership are essential to national progress. “Nigeria’s democracy can only be strengthened through strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, and principled political leadership,” it said, describing the court judgment as “a step in the right direction” that “must be defended by all democrats.”
