“We are officially taking over the party”
Acting National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman declared the takeover of the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Tuesday, following a Federal High Court ruling that ended Julius Abure’s tenure.
“Yes, the police mounting guard at the national secretariat were invited by our people. They are there to perform their duties as per the court’s judgment. We are doing this together with the NLC,” Usman said in a phone interview through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa.
Armed police officers were stationed within and around the premises, while supporters, party members and journalists underwent security screening before entry.
The court ruling that shifted the ground
Last month, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had elapsed and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman pending the conduct of a national convention.
Following the judgment, INEC updated its portal, replacing Abure’s name with Usman’s as Acting National Chairman. Other newly listed officials include Senator Darlington Nwokocha as National Secretary, Hamisu Santuraki as National Treasurer, Aisha Madije as National Financial Secretary, and Eric Ifere as National Legal Adviser.
The update signalled administrative recognition.
It did not end the dispute.
“There can’t be any confrontation”
Usman dismissed fears of resistance from the Abure camp.
“There can’t be any confrontation from Abure. On what leg or basis is he standing to confront anybody? The same Abure you are talking about has since moved all his belongings from that office after the judgment,” she said.
She added that until the court ruling, her group had not been recognised on INEC’s portal, but the recent judgment altered the party’s legal standing.
“For the police to even agree to come, you can understand that the game has changed,” she noted.
Abure camp insists the matter is not settled
Reacting to the development, factional National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh said the Abure-led group had appealed the ruling and would respond formally.
“It is strange to hear the police sealed up our secretariat despite knowing we have appealed the case. Their defence is that they have a court order to seal up the place. We will make our position on this issue known very soon,” Ifoh said.
Abure has previously rejected the judgment and warned INEC against recognising Usman’s faction.
The appeal process now becomes central to the contest.
Control of headquarters means control of structure
The Labour Party secretariat takeover carries implications beyond physical access to the Utako premises.
National secretariat control affects:
• Candidate nomination processes
• Party documentation and finances
• Legal representation in electoral matters
• Strategic positioning ahead of future contests
With INEC recognition updated and an appeal pending, authority now sits between court enforcement and appellate review.
If the appeal succeeds, the equation shifts again
Should the appellate court overturn the Federal High Court ruling, the party could face another reversal of recognised leadership.
If the judgment stands, the Usman-led caretaker structure may consolidate control ahead of a national convention.
The building has changed hands.
The final authority may still depend on the courts.
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