Labour Party Divisions Deepen as Abure Faction Reclaims Secretariat; Nenadi Usman Camp Kicks

Tensions escalated within the Labour Party on Tuesday night as the Julius Abure-led faction announced it had regained control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, just a day after the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee assumed control.

The Abure faction, through National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, confirmed in a statement that the secretariat, which had been “forcefully” occupied earlier in the day, was now back under its control. Photographs accompanying the statement showed banners and billboards bearing Usman’s image being removed.

“The Julius Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party has recovered the party’s national secretariat, previously occupied by the Abia state government and Nenadi Usman’s group,” the statement read. It added that the takeover by Usman and the Abia deputy governor was illegal and unauthorised.

Ifoh said the party would document any losses incurred during the takeover and pursue legal action. The statement urged rival factions to await court decisions and warned against further attempts to interfere with party operations. Activities at the headquarters were expected to resume Wednesday.

In response, acting National Chairman Nenadi Usman condemned the Abure faction’s action, citing a court ruling that ended Abure’s tenure. Speaking through her media adviser, Ken Asogwa, Usman said, “There is a court judgment stating Abure has ceased to be national chairman. The secretariat is where lawful duties should be performed. This midnight takeover disregards that judgment.”

Usman maintained that her group’s initial takeover was legal and conducted openly. She expressed frustration that security forces did not prevent Abure’s faction from reclaiming the premises.

The dispute follows a Federal High Court ruling last month that declared Abure’s tenure over and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman’s caretaker committee pending a national convention. INEC updated its records accordingly, listing Usman as acting National Chairman.

The conflict reflects ongoing tensions within the Labour Party, which have persisted since the 2023 general elections amid parallel leadership claims and multiple court battles. Despite filing an appeal against the ruling, Abure has pledged to resist what he calls an unlawful takeover.