The Labour Party’s National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, has become the epicenter of a deepening leadership crisis following its takeover by a faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman. The development, carried out under heavy police presence, has intensified tensions between the Usman-led interim leadership and the faction previously headed by Julius Abure.

According to the Abure camp, the secretariat was “invaded” around 1 a.m., with billboards pulled down and replaced with those of Senator Usman. Spokesperson Obiorah Ifoh alleged that eight truckloads of police officers blocked party officials and staff from accessing the premises while granting entry exclusively to members of the Nenadi-led interim leadership.

He further claimed that Abia State Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu accompanied the group and ordered offices to be broken into and documents removed.

The Abure faction acknowledged the existence of a Federal High Court judgment recognizing Senator Usman as Interim National Chairman but maintained that they had obtained a Stay of Execution and filed an appeal. They described the physical takeover as unlawful “self-help,” warning that such actions threaten democratic norms and party stability.

The faction called on security agencies to investigate the incident and urged party members nationwide to remain vigilant amid what they termed an illegal occupation of the party headquarters.

In contrast, Senator Nenadi Usman confirmed the takeover through her media aide, stating that the police presence was formally requested to enforce the court’s ruling. With banners and materials linked to the Abure leadership removed, Usman formally assumed office, becoming Nigeria’s first female national chairman of a political party.

She dismissed fears of resistance, asserting there was no basis for confrontation since Abure had allegedly vacated the premises after the judgment.

The crisis stems from a Federal High Court ruling declaring Abure’s tenure expired and directing INEC to recognize the Usman-led caretaker committee pending a national convention, an order INEC has already reflected in its official records, further entrenching the party’s internal divide.