Lilian Ugwu
The Labour Party in Bayelsa State has dismissed claims that a Yenagoa High Court ruling resolved its ongoing leadership dispute, describing the reports as false, misleading, and aimed at creating confusion.
In a statement released on Thursday, the party’s State Legal Adviser, Barr. Kikanwa Linda Enu Timipre, said no case concerning the party’s leadership crisis had ever been filed in the Bayelsa State High Court. She challenged anyone making such claims to provide verifiable evidence.
“There was no action filed in the Bayelsa State High Court by any individual or group concerning the Labour Party leadership dispute,” Timipre said. “I challenge anyone making such claims to provide proof.”
The controversy followed a publication alleging that the Yenagoa High Court had dismissed a suit brought by state chairmen loyal to the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, who emerged from the March 27, 2024 Nnewi Convention. The report further claimed that the dismissal aligned with a Supreme Court judgment removing Abure and affirming the Interim National Caretaker Committee led by Nenadi Esther Usman.
Barr. Timipre dismissed these claims as baseless, noting that the Supreme Court has clarified leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters.
“My attention has been drawn to a press release by an unnamed person, presumably from the Nenadi Usman group or enemies of the party,” she said. “These claims are false and intended to mislead the public.”
She added that while a separate case was filed at the Federal High Court in Bayelsa, it was withdrawn after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) addressed the issues in a letter dated February 16, 2026, leading the court to strike out the matter without cost.
The Labour Party urged the public to disregard reports of a supposed court ruling, emphasizing that they were fabricated to sow discord and confusion within its ranks.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.