There was a strong security presence at the national secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja on Tuesday as acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, assumed control of the party’s headquarters from the Julius Abure-led faction.
Usman confirmed the development in a phone interview through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa.
At the secretariat located in Utako, armed police officers were deployed within and around the premises, while visitors, party members and journalists were subjected to thorough security checks before being granted access.
Banners and billboards bearing images of Abure and his executive team were removed and replaced with those of Usman and the new leadership.
Party sources disclosed that the interim leadership had begun plans to extend the takeover to state secretariats nationwide.
Speaking on the development, Usman described the move as long overdue, stating that the police presence was requested to ensure a peaceful transition in line with a court judgment.
She explained that the police were formally invited to provide protection during the process, adding that the takeover was being carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Usman dismissed the likelihood of resistance from the Abure faction, insisting there was no basis for confrontation.
According to her, Abure had already vacated the
office following the court ruling, while recent developments, including recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission, confirmed the legitimacy of the new leadership.
She maintained that the party was now officially taking control of its national secretariat and repositioning its structures.
Shortly after her remarks, the interim leadership issued a media invitation for journalists to witness the formal takeover and presentation of a progress report on membership revalidation and registration.
Reacting, the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the Abure-led camp would soon state its position, describing the police action as surprising given that an appeal had been filed.
He added that the faction would respond after reviewing the situation.
The development follows a Federal High Court judgment last month which held that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had expired and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.
The ruling came after months of internal disputes, legal battles and leadership tussles within the party after the 2023 general elections.
While the Otti-backed faction welcomed the decision and called for unity, Abure rejected the judgment and proceeded with an appeal, cautioning INEC against recognising the caretaker leadership.
INEC later updated its records to reflect Usman as acting National Chairman, listing Senator Darlington Nwokocha as National Secretary, Hamisu Santuraki as National Treasurer, Aisha Madije as National Financial Secretary and Eric Ifere as National Legal Adviser.
