Abure
Labour Party crisis deepens as Abure faction accuses deputy governor of ‘invading’ Abuja secretariat
Faction alleges police-backed takeover by Nenadi Usman-led interim committee, insists court order obtained to halt enforcement
The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has accused Abia State, Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, and the party’s Interim National Working Committee, headed by Senator Nenadi Usman, of forcibly breaking into and occupying the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
According to the Abure faction, the invasion occurred around 1am on Tuesday when suspected hoodlums—accompanied by security operatives—pulled down existing party billboards and replaced them with banners bearing Usman’s name.
The allegation came hours after Usman officially assumed office as interim National Chairman.
Speaking at the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja upon resumption, Usman described the development as a significant moment in the opposition party’s history, noting that what stakeholders anticipated would be a smooth transition had instead culminated in protracted legal battles.
She also dismissed rumours of internal discord between her leadership and labour unions, including the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
In a statement issued Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Abure-led faction claimed the operation was executed with heavy police presence, which allegedly barred party staff and officers from accessing the premises.
The statement asserted that only individuals aligned with the Usman-led interim leadership were permitted entry, while party officials who arrived later that morning were turned away.
“The Abure led leadership is dumbfounded by the invasion of its secretariat by Nenadi camp aided by police in the early hours of Tuesday,” the statement read.
It stated that, “Accompanied by the Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, Senator Nenadi ordered his hoodlums to break into all the offices, and carted files and other materials alongside.
“When some of our senior officials came to office in the morning, we were prevented by the police. We refused to confront them to avoid clashes and confrontations, choosing peaceful approach.”
The faction further alleged that Usman, accompanied by Emetu, directed hoodlums to break into offices and cart away files and other sensitive materials.
While acknowledging that a Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory had earlier delivered judgment recognising Usman as interim chairman, the Abure faction noted that the ruling had been appealed and a “stay of execution” obtained. It described the alleged invasion as an act of self-help, insisting it was unlawful for any group to enforce a disputed court judgment through force.
The faction called on the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service, the Office of the National Security Adviser and other relevant agencies to investigate the incident and restore order.
“We are by this statement calling on the Police, Department of State Security, office of the National Security Adviser and other relevant agencies to take note of the unlawful invasion of our party secretariat. If this anomaly is not checked, it is a pointer that our democracy and its institutions are being threatened,” the party added.
The Abure-led leadership urged its members and supporters nationwide to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them that it was pursuing legal means to resolve the matter.
Recall that an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had previously affirmed the removal of Abure as National Chairman and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee as the legitimate leadership of the opposition party.
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