Nigeria’s Labour Party is embroiled in a leadership crisis after Nenadi Usman’s faction took control of the party’s Abuja secretariat following a court ruling, sparking accusations of forceful takeover from the Julius Abure-led faction.
The takeover occurred early Tuesday morning when security operatives and suspected individuals accompanying Usman and Abia State Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu allegedly broke into offices and replaced existing party billboards with banners bearing Usman’s name.
Competing Claims
Usman, who officially assumed office as interim National Chairman, described the development as an important milestone in the opposition party’s history, though she acknowledged what stakeholders expected to be a smooth transition turned into a prolonged legal battle. She denied rumors of internal conflicts with labor unions including the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
However, the Abure faction strongly contested the takeover. Party spokesman Obiora Ifoh claimed that only individuals aligned with Usman were permitted entry to the secretariat, while regular party officials who arrived later were barred by police. The faction alleged that sensitive files and materials were removed from offices during the operation.
Legal Battle
The dispute centers on a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that removed Abure as National Chairman and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Usman’s National Caretaker Committee as the party’s legitimate leadership.
The Abure faction, while acknowledging the court judgment, maintains they have filed an appeal and obtained a stay of execution. They characterized the secretariat takeover as “an act of self-help”, arguing it’s unlawful to enforce a disputed judgment through force.
The faction has called on security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, and National Security Adviser to investigate the incident, warning that failure to address the situation threatens democratic institutions. They urged party members nationwide to remain calm while pursuing legal remedies.
