Just In: Heavy Security As Nenadi Usman’s Faction Takes Over Labour Party Secretariat

There was a strong security presence at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday as the acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, took over the party’s headquarters from the faction led by Julius Abure.

Usman confirmed the development in a phone interview with Punch through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa.

When Punch visited the party’s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, armed and stern‑looking policemen were stationed within and around the premises, while party banners and giant billboards featuring Abure and his executives had been replaced with those bearing Usman’s name.

Supporters, party members and journalists were subjected to strict security screening and asked to identify themselves before gaining access to the secretariat.

Sources within the Labour Party disclosed that the new leadership had also directed members to begin preparations to take over other state party secretariats across the country.

When asked to confirm whether the Otti‑backed faction had fully taken over the secretariat, Usman said the move was long overdue.

She said, “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 NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress).

“We only wrote to the police to provide cover for us this morning. So, the police are there for us.”

Usman dismissed suggestions that the Abure faction might resist or attempt a confrontation.

“There can’t be any confrontation from Abure. On what leg or basis is he standing to confront anybody? The same Abure you are talking about has since moved all his belongings from that office after the judgment,” she said.

She added that until now, the Usman group had not been recognised on the INEC portal and that there had been no clear court directive until the recent ruling, which fully recognised her as the party’s acting National Chairman.

She said, “Now, the situation doesn’t give room for anybody to hang around again and be saying, ‘I am a factional this or that.’ No, not anymore. We are officially taking over the party this morning.”

Usman assured that there would be no violence during the takeover.

“For the police to even agree to come, you can understand that the game has changed,” she noted.

Shortly after the interview, the party’s interim leadership issued a press invitation for journalists to witness the official takeover of the national secretariat by 11 a.m.

The terse invitation read, “Media Invitation. The Labour Party Interim Leadership, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, invites you to the handing‑over ceremony of the Progress Report on Membership Revalidation and Registration to the National Leadership of the Party, as well as the occasion of the taking over of the Party’s National Secretary position at Utako, Abuja.”

Abure Faction Vows To Respond

Reacting to the takeover, the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the Abure‑led camp would make its official position known soon.

“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 to seal up the place. We will make our position on this issue known very soon,” he said.

Last month, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had elapsed and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.

The judgment followed prolonged internal disputes, parallel leadership claims and court cases that escalated after the 2023 general elections.

While the Otti‑backed faction welcomed the ruling, it also urged restraint and reconciliation within the party. Abure, however, rejected the judgment and vowed to appeal, warning INEC against recognising Usman’s faction.

INEC subsequently updated its website to recognise Usman as acting National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Two weeks ago, Abure’s name was replaced with Usman’s on INEC’s portal. Other officials listed include Senator Darlington Nwokocha – National Secretary, Hamisu Santuraki – National Treasurer, Aisha Madije – National Financial Secretary and Eric Ifere – National Legal Adviser.