The Labour Party (LP) crisis took a dramatic turn on Sunday, as the Julius Abure-led faction raised concerns over a potential invasion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. In response to reports of a planned takeover, the Abure leadership deployed a team of police officers and private operatives to secure the entrance of the party’s headquarters.
Two police vans were stationed at strategic points near the LP secretariat, with eight officers standing guard. The move was aimed at preventing chaos after a controversial interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 5, which has sparked a wave of mixed reactions within the party.
In a statement issued on Sunday, LP’s National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, alleged that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee were mobilizing members and hired thugs to storm the secretariat. Ibrahim further claimed that the planned invasion was being backed by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and an undisclosed “prominent leader” within the party.
Ibrahim accused the NLC of attempting to seize sensitive party documents and vandalize the LP’s properties, a claim that echoed past incidents where party headquarters had been desecrated. He condemned the move as an act of desperation, arguing that the Supreme Court ruling was clear in its stance, mandating political parties to resolve internal disputes through their own mechanisms.
He said, “We view this planned action as irresponsible and an attempt to destabilize the Labour Party. The Supreme Court judgment does not grant the NLC or the caretaker committee any authority to take control of the party’s leadership.”
The LP Secretary reaffirmed that Julius Abure, who was elected at the party’s convention in March 2024, remains the legitimate National Chairman of the Labour Party. He warned that any attempt to forcibly remove the current leadership would be met with resistance.
“We are calling on the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene and prevent any breach of peace in the Federal Capital Territory,” Ibrahim stated, adding that the masterminds behind the invasion, regardless of their influence, must be held accountable.
Efforts to obtain a response from the acting National Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, were unsuccessful. However, Tony Akeni, spokesperson for the Usman-led caretaker committee, dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
Akeni referred to the accusations as a case of “reverse psychology,” suggesting that the Abure faction was projecting their own fears onto the caretaker committee. He also stated, “The Supreme Court has ruled that Abure is no longer the National Chairman. The leadership should have handed over to Nenadi Usman, but they refused. If they do not voluntarily vacate, we have no choice but to take lawful steps to reclaim control.”
The Supreme Court had ruled on April 5, 2025, that the leadership of the Labour Party is an internal matter and beyond judicial oversight. The court also declared that Abure’s tenure had expired, leading to the dismissal of the cross-appeal filed by his faction.
The decision has created a division within the party, with some members welcoming the judgment, while others, including Edo South Senator Neda Imasuen, expressed support for Abure’s removal. Imasuen, speaking to journalists in Benin, described the situation as unfortunate but welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling, asserting that the Labour Party had been dragged into needless legal battles under Abure’s leadership.
He said, “Abure’s tenure had become a personal battle. His actions were tearing the party apart instead of preserving its unity. The Supreme Court’s verdict is a welcome development.”
As the party remains divided, the unfolding developments surrounding the leadership crisis continue to raise questions about the future of the Labour Party.
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