The factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, on Monday confirmed that the party has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and unveiled a “free nomination form” policy for aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abure made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja, amid renewed tensions within the opposition party over its authentic leadership and control of its electoral processes.

The development comes about a month after Abure rejected the Court of Appeal judgment, which affirmed Nenadi Usman as the party’s national chairman, describing the ruling as unacceptable and vowing to challenge it at the apex court.

The Labour Party has since been split into rival camps, with conflicting claims to leadership authority and control of party structures across the country.

Abure, however, confirmed that the legal battle has now moved to the Supreme Court.

He said, “Nigerians will recall that when the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on April 21 on the Labour Party crisis, our leadership stated clearly that the party would head to the Supreme Court.

“I am happy to announce that we have filed our notice of appeal and that we are waiting for the compilation of our records so that we can properly file our brief in the Supreme Court.”

Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Abure said the Labour Party under his leadership will fully participate in the 2027 general elections.

He announced that nomination forms would be issued free of charge and made available online and through party structures, with governorship and state assembly primaries scheduled for May 27 and National Assembly primaries for May 29, 2026.

The LP chieftain also concluded that a presidential candidate would emerge through a consensus process on May 29 in Abuja.

He said, “In any event, the Labour Party under our leadership will participate fully in the 2027 elections. Our forms are available, and aspirants have been picking up forms. All our forms can be accessed on the Labour Party’s social and online platforms for free.

“You may want to know why we have chosen to participate fully in this coming election in spite of the Appeal Court ruling. Of course, you are aware that for anyone to participate in a pre-election matter, you must have participated in all the processes leading to the primaries, including buying nomination forms and observing all INEC regulations.

“As a result, we have encouraged all our members across the country who have an interest in running for elective offices to pick up the necessary form for free so that they can participate and be part of the process.”

Continuing, the factional chairman argued that the current crisis stemmed from what he called INEC’s “volte-face,” which he claimed triggered internal division after the electoral commission failed to recognise his leadership and instead supported the setting up of a caretaker committee.

Abure’s clarification came barely 24 hours after a fresh clash involving Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and the party’s national leadership over the sale and legitimacy of nomination forms ahead of the 2027 elections.

He was accused of defying court rulings and the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), amid growing uncertainty over the party’s recognised leadership.

The controversy was further fuelled by viral photographs showing Abure presenting Labour Party nomination forms to a former National Vice Chairman of the party, Ceekay Igara, and other members in Abia State.

Reacting on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, warned aspirants and supporters against obtaining nomination forms from Abure, describing them as “worthless paper.” (The PUNCH)