There was a heavy security presence on Tuesday morning at the national secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja as the acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, took over the headquarters from the Julius Abure-led faction.
Usman confirmed the development in a telephone interview through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa.
When our correspondent visited the party’s secretariat in Utako, Abuja, armed and stern-looking police officers were seen stationed within and around the premises.
All Labour Party banners and large billboards bearing the images of Abure and members of his executive within the secretariat were removed and replaced with those of Usman.
Supporters, party members and journalists were subjected to strict security screening and required to properly identify themselves before being granted access to the premises.
Plans to Take Over State Secretariats
Sources within the party disclosed that the new leadership had directed members to begin preparations to take over other Labour Party state secretariats across the country.
Asked whether the Otti-backed faction had fully taken over the national secretariat, Usman described the action as long overdue.
Usman said the police presence was at the request of her camp and in line with a court judgement recognising her leadership.
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“Yes, the police mounting guard at the national secretariat were invited by our people. They are there to perform their duties in line with the court’s judgement. We are doing this together with the NLC,” she said.
“We only wrote to the police this morning to provide cover for us, and they responded.”
No Confrontation Expected
Responding to concerns over possible resistance from the Abure faction, Usman ruled out any confrontation.
“There can’t be any confrontation from Abure. On what basis would he confront anybody? After the judgement, he moved his belongings from the office,” she said.
“For a long time, our name was not on the INEC portal because there was no clear court directive. Now, there is a clear judgement recognising Nenadi as the National Chairman.
“The situation no longer allows anyone to claim factional leadership. As of this morning, we are officially taking over the party.”
She assured that the takeover would be peaceful, adding that the police’s willingness to provide security showed a shift from previous situations.
Media Invited to Witness Takeover
Shortly after the interview, the party’s interim leadership sent out a press invitation to journalists to witness the official takeover of the national secretariat scheduled for 11 a.m.
The statement read in part: “The Labour Party Interim Leadership, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, invites members of the press to witness the handing over of the Progress Report on Membership Revalidation and Registration to the National Leadership of the Party, as well as the official takeover of the Party’s National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja.”
Abure Faction Reacts
Reacting, the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh said the Abure-led group would respond officially.
“It is strange that the police sealed off our secretariat despite knowing that we have appealed the judgement. Their explanation is that they are acting on a court order,” he said.
“We will make our position known very soon.”
Background to the LP Leadership crisis
Last month, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman of the Labour Party had elapsed and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.
The judgement followed prolonged internal disputes, court cases and parallel leadership claims that intensified after the 2023 general elections.
While the Otti-backed faction welcomed the ruling and called for reconciliation within the party, Abure rejected the judgement and vowed to appeal, warning INEC not to recognise the rival faction.
INEC later listed Usman as the acting National Chairman of the party in compliance with the court order. Two weeks ago, Abure’s name was replaced with Usman’s on the commission’s website.
Other officials recognised by INEC include Senator Darlington Nwokocha as National Secretary; Hamisu Santuraki, National Treasurer; Aisha Madije, National Financial Secretary; and Eric Ifere, National Legal Adviser.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
