Abure Faction Storms Labour Party Secretariat, Ousts Usman Group

Tensions flared in the Labour Party on Tuesday night when the Julius Abure-led faction reclaimed the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, less than 24 hours after the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee had taken control of the same facility.

The Abure faction announced that it regained access to the secretariat after determining that the previous takeover by Usman’s group was not authorized.

Party officials reported that banners and billboards carrying Usman’s image were removed and replaced with those representing Abure’s leadership.

The faction said it would document any losses during the confrontation and pursue legal action to protect the party’s assets. Party activities were expected to resume on Wednesday at the headquarters.

Meanwhile, Usman’s group insisted that its takeover of the secretariat followed legal procedures. She argued that Abure no longer holds the position of national chairman and that the caretaker committee’s control was sanctioned by both a court ruling and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Usman’s faction had assumed control earlier on Tuesday with police support, ensuring security checks for members and journalists entering the premises. Preparations for similar takeovers of state party secretariats were reportedly underway.

The dispute traces back to a Federal High Court ruling last month, which declared Abure’s tenure as national chairman had ended and ordered INEC to recognize Usman’s caretaker committee.

Following this ruling, Abure rejected the decision and filed an appeal, leading to continued friction and competing claims over party leadership.

The struggle for control has fueled broader unrest within the party, following months of internal disagreements, parallel leadership claims, and court battles that intensified after the 2023 general elections.

The outcome of ongoing legal proceedings is expected to determine the official leadership of the Labour Party and influence its operations ahead of future elections.

Party members on both sides remain on edge as the legal process continues, with the Abure faction vowing to defend its position and the Usman faction maintaining its legal authority over the party’s secretariat and operations.