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.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to sign the amended Electoral Act into law later this month, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has confirmed.

Akpabio made the statement on Tuesday during an emergency Senate plenary session, where lawmakers inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with harmonising the Senate’s version of the bill with that of the House of Representatives.

The move comes amid widespread backlash over certain amendments to the Act.

“I believe that if you are able to conclude within the next few days or a week, the President should be able to sign this amended Electoral Bill into law within this month of February,” Akpabio told the Senate.

“I wish you a worthy deliberation with your colleagues.”

The committee, he added, should treat the harmonisation process as a matter of urgency, noting that the expansion of its membership followed consultations with House leadership to ensure alignment between both chambers.

The session follows opposition criticism and public protests over the Senate’s initial rejection of proposals for real-time electronic transmission of election results as outlined in Clause 60 (3) of the Electoral Act.

The original provision allowed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the mode of result transmission.

On Tuesday, however, the Senate reversed its earlier stance, approving electronic transmission while retaining a manual backup procedure.

In cases of internet failure, the manually generated Form EC8A will serve as the primary tool for collation.

Opposition leaders have argued that any weakening of electronic transmission could undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has confirmed a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as a critical step toward resolving the ongoing political crisis in the state.

Wike said the meeting, which took place on Monday, February 9, was initiated by President Tinubu as part of efforts to broker peace between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Speaking after an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike expressed appreciation for the President’s intervention and optimism that it would mark the final attempt to reconcile the parties.

“I remember this is the second time the President is intervening and I believe, by the grace of God, this is going to be the last time,” Wike said.

He urged the state assembly to “do the needful” and comply with the President’s directives, adding that he expects Governor Fubara to play his part in ensuring lasting peace.

The development comes a day after Wike and Fubara reportedly left together for the minister’s residence in Abuja following a meeting at the Presidential Villa, which observers viewed as a possible signal of temporary truce.

The closed-door meeting, which also included other key political figures from Rivers State, aimed to address the prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.

It follows the issuance of a third impeachment notice against Fubara by lawmakers aligned with Wike, a matter currently under litigation.

Key issues reportedly discussed include whether Governor Fubara would abandon his second-term ambition and cede political leadership to Wike’s camp, though it remains unclear if any formal agreement was reached.

The pro-Wike lawmakers have yet to indicate whether they will withdraw the impeachment notice.

Wike’s comments signal a strong push for reconciliation, but the sustainability of any truce remains uncertain amid the ongoing political tension in the oil-rich state.

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.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised the Senate over its recent amendment to the Electoral Act, accusing lawmakers of misleading Nigerians.

Okonkwo’s reaction followed the decision of the Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to approve electronic transmission of election results while permitting manual collation in situations where real-time transmission is not possible due to network or technical challenges.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday and titled “Nigerians are duped by the Senate,” the former Labour Party spokesperson argued that the amendment undermines the credibility of electronic transmission.

He specifically faulted changes to Section 60 of the Electoral Act, which allow the use of manually generated Form EC8A for collation when electronic transmission cannot be carried out.

According to him, the provision weakens the objective of adopting technology in elections by making electronic transmission optional rather than compulsory.

Okonkwo said the proposal, reportedly introduced by Senator Mohammed Monguno, effectively returns the country to a system where manual results can determine outcomes whenever technical glitches are cited.

He argued that Nigerians had expected a legal framework that makes electronic transmission mandatory, insisting that any election where results cannot be transmitted electronically from polling units should be cancelled and rescheduled.

Drawing a comparison with the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Okonkwo noted that the Electoral Act already provides for cancellation and rescheduling of elections where BVAS fails during voter accreditation.

He warned that allowing manual collation as an alternative could erode public confidence in the electoral process and compromise the integrity of elections.

Okonkwo further alleged that the Senate’s action could weaken democratic gains, urging Nigerians to demand stricter safeguards to ensure that electronic transmission remains central to election result management in the country.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has explained his decision to attend the “Occupy the National Assembly” protest in Abuja with his son, saying it was both a precautionary and symbolic move.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Amaechi said his son, a medical doctor, accompanied him to provide immediate assistance should the demonstration turn violent or protesters sustain injuries.

He noted that his participation reflected his belief that political leaders must stand visibly with citizens during moments of national agitation rather than observe from a distance.

Amaechi used the occasion to call on Nigerians and opposition political parties to intensify protests against the Senate’s position on the Electoral Act amendment, particularly the controversy surrounding electronic transmission of election results.

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of resisting real-time electronic transmission out of fear of electoral defeat, urging parties such as the PDP and ADC to mobilise their supporters.

According to him, concerns that opposition figures could hijack the protest were misplaced, questioning why the APC should be worried if it truly enjoys widespread public support.

Amaechi also criticised the current administration’s handling of governance and living conditions, comparing it unfavourably with the Muhammadu Buhari era in which he served.

He argued that, despite policy challenges at the time, there were clearer plans to cushion the impact on citizens.

He further alleged that corruption has worsened under President Bola Tinubu and expressed doubts about the President’s chances in the 2027 election, insisting that the ultimate decision would rest with the electorate.

Amaechi maintained that opposition parties and civil society groups would continue their advocacy regardless of the stance of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the presidency.

The protest comes amid heightened debate over amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially the proposal on whether the Independent National Electoral Commission should be mandated to transmit election results electronically in real time from polling units.

While many Nigerians and civic groups support compulsory electronic transmission to enhance transparency, the Senate has argued that making it discretionary would allow flexibility due to logistical and infrastructural challenges.

Protesters, however, insist that removing the real-time requirement could create loopholes capable of undermining electoral credibility.

The Senate on Tuesday revised its earlier amendment to the Electoral Act, reintroducing provisions for the electronic transmission of election results after initially rejecting it.

Under the latest adjustment, results may now be transmitted electronically from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal.

However, the provision is not compulsory, and Form EC8A will serve as the primary backup for collation where internet connectivity fails.

The development followed a motion moved by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno during an emergency plenary session.

Monguno explained that the decision to revisit the earlier position was driven by public concern and the need for the law to reflect citizens’ expectations on transparency in elections.

The Minority Leader, Abba Moro, seconded the motion, after which Senate President Godswill Akpabio subjected it to a voice vote that received majority support from lawmakers.

The amendment effectively rescinds the Senate’s earlier stance, which had excluded electronic transmission as a defined provision in the Electoral Act.

Despite the shift, the new framework stops short of making electronic transmission mandatory, allowing room for manual processes where network failures occur.

The latest action signals a partial concession by the upper chamber amid mounting pressure from civil society groups, opposition figures, and public commentators who had criticised the earlier decision.

The move also acknowledges that the previous version of the amendment did not sufficiently capture provisions for electronic transmission, prompting the need for a legislative correction.

The Nigerian Senate is set to hold an emergency plenary session today as debates intensify over recent amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly the provisions concerning electronic transmission of election results.

The sitting, scheduled for 12 noon at the Senate Chamber, was conveyed in an official notice issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

While the notice did not specify the agenda, the development comes in the wake of public protests and widespread reactions following the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 through a third reading last week.

At the centre of the controversy is Clause 60(3) of the bill, which addresses the transmission of election results.

Lawmakers declined to adopt a proposed amendment that would have made real-time electronic transmission compulsory, opting instead to retain the provision in the 2022 Electoral Act.

The existing clause empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission to determine the method of transmitting results.

The rejected proposal sought to mandate presiding officers to upload polling unit results electronically to the INEC Result Viewing portal immediately after the completion and authentication of result forms.

The Senate also turned down an amendment proposing a 10-year ban on vote-buying offenders, choosing to maintain current penalties that include fines and imprisonment.

Public dissatisfaction over the decision spilled into the streets on Monday, as civil society groups, youth organisations and opposition party supporters staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly under the banner “Occupy National Assembly.”

Security operatives from multiple agencies were deployed, barricading the complex, while demonstrators maintained a peaceful presence at the gate.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, now aligned with the ADC, joined the protest and urged lawmakers to make electronic transmission mandatory to prevent a repeat of the technical failures reported during the 2023 general elections.

Responding to the backlash, Senate President Akpabio clarified that the Senate did not reject electronic transmission but only removed the phrase “real time” to avoid legal complications that could arise from network disruptions during elections.

He noted that the intention was to allow INEC flexibility in determining the most practical transmission method.

Former Senate President David Mark also weighed in, suggesting that the National Assembly should leave the decision on electronic transmission entirely to INEC.

Despite criticism, some senators defended the amendment, insisting that the Red Chamber broadly supports electronic transmission.

Senator Victor Umeh stated that the only adjustment agreed upon was the removal of the “real-time” requirement due to network limitations in certain areas, adding that transmission itself was never in dispute.

He further explained that confusion emerged during plenary when a proposal to substitute “transmission” with “transfer” was introduced without debate, an action he said could have been clarified if the matter had been openly discussed.