There was a heavy security presence at the Labour Party national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Tuesday as Senator Nenadi Usman officially assumed office as Acting National Chairman, taking over from the Julius Abure-led faction.
Armed police officers were deployed within and around the premises, conducting strict security checks on party members, supporters, and journalists before granting access to the headquarters.
Police Provide Security Cover
Confirming the development in a phone interview through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, Usman said the police were invited to provide security in line with a recent Federal High Court judgment.
“Yes, the police mounting guard at the national secretariat were invited by our people. They are there to perform their duties as per the court’s judgment. We are doing this together with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),” she said.
According to her, the security deployment signals a shift in the party’s leadership structure following the court’s directive and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s recognition of the caretaker committee.
Abure’s Banners Replaced
A visit to the secretariat showed that all Labour Party banners and billboards bearing the images of Julius Abure and his executives had been removed and replaced with those of Senator Nenadi Usman and members of the interim leadership.
Sources within the party revealed that the new leadership has begun preparations to take over Labour Party state secretariats across the country, consolidating control after weeks of leadership tussles.
“No Room for Factional Claims” — Usman
Responding to concerns about possible resistance from the Abure faction, Usman dismissed the likelihood of confrontation.
“There can’t be any confrontation from Abure. On what basis? He has since moved his belongings from the office after the judgment,” she stated.
She added that until recently, there had been no clear court directive recognising her leadership.
“Now, there is no room for anyone to claim factional leadership. We are officially taking over the party. I can assure you there won’t be violence. For the police to agree to come shows the situation has changed,” she said.
Media Invitation for Official Handover
Shortly after the interview, the Labour Party interim leadership issued a media invitation announcing the official takeover ceremony and presentation of a progress report on membership revalidation and registration.
The statement invited journalists to witness the handing-over ceremony and the formal assumption of the National Secretary position at the party’s Abuja headquarters.
Abure Faction Reacts
Reacting to the development, factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described the police action as surprising, noting that the Abure camp had appealed the court ruling.
“It is strange to hear the police sealed up our secretariat despite knowing we have appealed the case. Their defence is that they have a court order,” Ifoh said, adding that the faction would soon issue an official response.
Background: Court Ruling and INEC Recognition
Last month, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Julius Abure’s tenure as Labour Party National Chairman had expired. The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.
The ruling followed prolonged internal disputes and parallel leadership claims that escalated after the 2023 general elections.
While the Otti-backed faction welcomed the judgment and called for reconciliation within the party, Abure rejected the verdict and vowed to appeal, cautioning INEC against recognising the caretaker committee.
INEC subsequently updated its website, replacing Abure’s name with Nenadi Usman as Acting National Chairman.
Other officials listed include Senator Darlington Nwokocha as National Secretary, Hamisu Santuraki as National Treasurer, Aisha Madije as National Financial Secretary, and Eric Ifere as National Legal Adviser.
