Senator Nenadi Usman has formally assumed control of the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, making history as Nigeria’s first female national chairman of a political party.
The takeover was marked by a significant security presence, with armed police officers stationed within and around the premises.
Usman, acting as National Chairman, assumed control from the Julius Abure-led faction.
She confirmed the development through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, noting that the process was in line with a recent court judgment.
At the secretariat, party members, supporters, and journalists were subjected to thorough security screening before being allowed entry.
Banners and billboards featuring Abure and his executives were removed and replaced with those of Usman and the interim leadership.
The new leadership has reportedly directed members to begin preparations for similar takeovers of state-level Labour Party secretariats across the country.
Speaking on the development, Usman described the takeover as long overdue.
“Yes, the police mounting guard at the national secretariat were invited by our people. They are there to perform their duties in line with the court’s judgment. We are doing this together with the NLC,” she said.
She dismissed fears of confrontation with the Abure faction, insisting that there was no basis for resistance.
“There can’t be any confrontation from Abure. He moved all his belongings from the office after the judgment. There is no longer room for factional claims. We are officially taking over the party,” Usman added.
The interim leadership later sent out a media invitation for an official handover ceremony, scheduled for 11 am at the secretariat, which will include a progress report on membership revalidation and registration.
Reacting to the takeover, the Abure-led faction, through its National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, said it would respond officially, noting that the judgment had been appealed.
The development follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja which declared that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had ended and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman pending a national convention.
INEC has since updated its records, listing Usman as acting National Chairman along with other recognised national officers.
