The leadership crisis in the Labour Party deepened on Friday in Abuja as the ousted National Chairman, Julius Abure, declared that he would not vacate the party’s national secretariat in Utako despite the recognition of Senator Nenadi Usman’s interim leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Abure made his position known through his Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, during a press briefing.
The dispute follows a Federal High Court decision directing INEC to recognise the Usman-led leadership. The ruling has created tension within the party and led to rival claims over control of the national headquarters. Abure’s camp insisted that recognition by INEC does not amount to taking possession of the secretariat building.
Olorunfemi said the secretariat remains under their control and maintained that the faction would not surrender the office. He argued that INEC’s action of listing Usman’s name on its portal did not grant her faction ownership of the party’s physical headquarters.
According to him, the opposing group is free to operate from any location of its choice but cannot take over the existing secretariat.
He also rejected claims that his group forcefully entered the premises, stating that the documents and property in the office belong to their leadership.
He described members of the rival faction as individuals without legitimate authority.
Tension at the secretariat increased earlier in the week when a strong security presence was observed around the building as Usman assumed control.
Armed police officers were stationed within and outside the premises. Party banners bearing Abure’s image were removed and replaced with those of Usman.
Access to the building was restricted, with supporters and journalists subjected to screening before entry.
Usman later confirmed that her faction had taken over the headquarters. However, Abure’s supporters claimed the action was planned in advance.
They alleged that in the past year there had been threats by certain party members to occupy the secretariat and that there were previous attempts to gain entry into the premises.
The faction further accused some security personnel of bias, claiming that while the premises appeared barricaded, members of the rival group were allowed access.
Abure’s camp said it had submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police over the conduct of officers attached to the FCT Command and called for neutrality.
On the legal matter, Olorunfemi disclosed that an appeal has been filed against the Federal High Court ruling. He also alleged that there were plans to arrest Abure and some members of the National Working Committee over the dispute.
He called on party supporters to remain calm while the leadership pursues legal steps.
The development comes shortly after Usman and the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Benson Upah, urged security agencies to arrest Abure, accusing him of unlawfully entering the secretariat and removing party documents.
Usman described the act as improper and said official records should remain in the party office to ensure continuity.
With both factions holding firm to their positions, the struggle for control of the Labour Party headquarters has further divided members, leaving the future of the party’s leadership unsettled.