The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) took a sharper turn on Tuesday as the party’s former National Chairman, Julius Abure, accused the Senator Nenadi Usman–led faction of carrying out a violent and unlawful takeover of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Abure, who is challenging his removal from office, described the development as a dangerous slide into political lawlessness that could undermine internal democracy within the opposition party.
His reaction followed reports of a heavy security presence at the party’s Utako headquarters and the eventual takeover of the premises by the Usman-led interim leadership.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, Abure alleged that the takeover was carefully coordinated and executed in the early hours of Tuesday, with the involvement of senior political figures and security operatives.
Allegations of midnight invasion
According to the Abure faction, unidentified persons stormed the Labour Party secretariat around 1 a.m., dismantling official billboards bearing Abure’s image and replacing them with those of Senator Nenadi Usman, who has been recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s interim national chairman.
The statement alleged that the operation was carried out under heavy police protection, effectively denying party officials and staff loyal to Abure access to the premises.
Ifoh claimed that security personnel stationed at the secretariat confirmed that only members of the Usman-led interim leadership were allowed into the building, while staff and executives aligned with Abure were barred.
He further accused the Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, of accompanying the group that allegedly forced its way into the secretariat.
Abure slams Usman over ‘invasion’ of LP secretariat
In condemning the incident, Abure insisted that the action amounted to self-help and a blatant disregard for due process, particularly as the leadership tussle remains before the courts.
“We are dumbfounded by the invasion of our secretariat by the Nenadi camp, allegedly aided by the police,” the statement said. “Offices were broken into, files and valuables were carted away, and our officials were prevented from accessing their workplace.”
Abure’s camp said it deliberately avoided confrontation to prevent violence, opting instead to pursue legal remedies.
“When some of our senior officials arrived in the morning and were stopped by the police, we chose restraint to avoid clashes,” Ifoh added.
Legal dispute still unresolved
Central to the crisis is a recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ruled that Abure’s tenure as national chairman had elapsed and ordered INEC to recognise a caretaker committee led by Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.
While the Usman faction and its supporters welcomed the ruling, Abure rejected it outright, describing the judgment as flawed and insisting that it was subject to appeal.
The Abure camp maintains that it has obtained a stay of execution, arguing that no faction has the legal right to enforce the judgment until all judicial processes are exhausted.
“It is inappropriate and unnecessary for any group to resort to force while the matter is still before the court,” the statement said.
Call for security agencies’ intervention
Abure warned that the incident posed a broader threat to democratic institutions if allowed to stand unchecked. He called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Office of the National Security Adviser, and other security agencies to intervene decisively.
“If this development is not addressed, it sets a dangerous precedent where political disputes are resolved through force rather than law,” the statement warned.
The faction also appealed to Labour Party members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while the leadership dispute is resolved through legal channels.
Usman faction confirms takeover
Meanwhile, the Nenadi Usman–led faction confirmed that it had assumed control of the party’s national secretariat, describing the move as long overdue.
Usman, speaking through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, said the takeover was in line with the court ruling and INEC’s recognition of her leadership.
A visit to the Utako secretariat by journalists showed a heavy deployment of armed policemen within and around the premises. Banners and billboards bearing Abure’s image had been removed, while new signage identifying Usman as interim national chairman had been installed.
Party members, supporters, and journalists were subjected to strict security screening before being granted access to the premises.
INEC recognition fuels tensions
The leadership crisis escalated further after INEC replaced Abure’s name with Usman’s on its official website, formally recognising her as acting national chairman in compliance with the court order.
The Otti-backed faction of the party has repeatedly called for reconciliation and unity, arguing that prolonged infighting could weaken the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abure, however, has accused INEC of acting prematurely, warning that the commission could be dragged into legal complications if the appeal succeeds.
Implications for opposition politics
Political analysts say the Labour Party crisis reflects the growing struggle for control of opposition platforms ahead of 2027, particularly given the party’s elevated profile following the 2023 elections.
The dispute has also raised concerns about internal party democracy and the role of security agencies in political conflicts.
Observers warn that prolonged instability within the Labour Party could undermine its ability to function as a credible opposition force, especially if the leadership tussle spills into violence or paralyses party structures nationwide.
Uncertain road ahead
As both factions dig in, the Labour Party appears headed for an extended legal and political battle, with reconciliation efforts yet to yield concrete results.
While the Usman-led interim leadership insists it is acting within the law, Abure’s camp remains defiant, vowing to reclaim control through the courts.
For now, the party’s national secretariat has become the latest flashpoint in a crisis that threatens to reshape the Labour Party’s future—and test Nigeria’s commitment to resolving political disputes through democratic and legal means rather than force.
