Senator Nenadi Usman on Tuesday took control of the Labour Party national secretariat in Abuja amid tight security, following a court judgment that recognised her as acting National Chairman of the party.
Armed police officers were stationed within and around the party headquarters in Utako to maintain order as the takeover took place.
The development came after weeks of internal disputes between factions loyal to Usman and those aligned with former chairman Julius Abure.
On arrival at the secretariat, all party materials linked to the Abure-led leadership were removed and replaced with banners and billboards bearing Usman’s image and those of the interim leadership.
Security checks were strict, as party members, supporters, and journalists were screened and asked to confirm their identities before gaining access to the premises.
The heavy presence of police officers was aimed at preventing any breakdown of order during the transition.
Sources within the party disclosed that the new leadership had begun plans to extend the takeover process to Labour Party offices across several states.
The move followed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja which declared that Abure’s tenure had ended and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman until a national convention is held.
INEC later updated its records to reflect Usman as acting National Chairman, along with other members of the interim leadership. This change further strengthened her position within the party structure.
The Abure faction, however, rejected the court decision and maintained that an appeal had been filed. Party officials loyal to Abure expressed concerns over the police action at the secretariat and said their response would be made public.
Despite the tension, the interim leadership assured party members and the public that the takeover process would remain peaceful.
Shortly after assuming control, the new leadership invited journalists to witness the formal handover and presentation of reports on membership registration and party administration.
The leadership crisis in the Labour Party has lingered since the 2023 general elections, with parallel claims and court cases deepening divisions within the party.
The latest takeover marks a new phase in efforts to resolve the dispute and restore order to the party’s national structure.