Labour Party Takes Bold Action: Suspension of Benue Chairman and 25 Key Figures Shakes Up the Landscape

The Labour Party (LP), on Thursday, declared the suspension of Mr. Emmanuel Agida, previous chairman of the party in Benue State.

The LP also suspended Hon. Hilda Doukubo and Eneyi G. Zidougha, former chairpersons of Rivers and Bayelsa states, respectively; along with ex-national deputy chairman, Dr. Ayo Olurunfemi; former chairman of Bauchi State, Muhammed Sabitu Aliyu; and several past national and state officials aligned with former national chairman, Julius Abure.

The Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, recognized by the Supreme Court, revealed the names of the 26 suspended party members on its X platform, Thursday.

The party stated that the National Executive Council has sanctioned the suspension of Mr. Agida and 25 others.

Recall that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a significant ruling last year, dismissed Julius Abure as the national chairman of the party.

In a unanimous decision rendered on April 4, 2025, the 5-member panel of the apex court effectively ousted Abure as the national chairman by overturning a prior Court of Appeal judgement that had validated his leadership.

Additionally, in January 2026, in another decision issued by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the court referred to the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025, to declare former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, as the legitimate national chairman of the party.

The court instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cease recognizing Abure and instead, acknowledge the Senator Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee as the lawful authority representing the party, pending the national convention where new national officials will emerge.

Other individuals suspended by the authority of the Labour Party include: Hon. Lincolin Charles, Ogar Osim, Vincent Okwuokei, Casmir Agbo Uchenna, Simon Zubairu Bamga, Abduljamid Sa’ad Suleiman, Auwala Ahmed, and Ularama Jubrila.

Also suspended are Grace Zafara Posat, Suleiman Abdurahman Abdul, Ajibade Adekunle Samson, Alexander Emmanuel Ombugu, Elizabeth Ativie, Godwin Jioke, Airen Igbinedion, Osas Frank, Kennedy Ahanotu, Abayomi Arabambi, Umar Faruk Ibrahim, Auwal Tafoki, and Obiora Ifoh.

The party has since scheduled its national convention for Saturday, April 28, 2026, to select new national officials.