Labour Party Crisis Deepens: Abure Faction Accused of Vandalizing National Headquarters Amid Leadership Tussle

 

​The internal struggle within the Labour Party (LP) has taken a violent turn as the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee has accused the Julius Abure-led faction of orchestrating a late-night invasion and vandalization of the party's National Headquarters in Abuja. This incident, occurring on the night of Tuesday, February 10, 2026, marks a significant escalation in the leadership dispute that has divided one of Nigeria’s most influential political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

​The Roots of the Confrontation

​The conflict reached a boiling point following a Federal High Court ruling that recognized Senator Nenadi Usman as the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party. Backed by the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, the Nenadi-led faction moved to take over the party's Secretariat on Tuesday, asserting their legal right to lead. However, the Julius Abure faction, which has consistently rejected the court's decision, allegedly retaliated with force.

​According to a statement released by the Nenadi group on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, "former and expelled" Julius Abure led "hoodlums" to the facility. The group alleges that these individuals vandalized the premises and pulled down billboards featuring Senator Nenadi Usman, replacing them with those of the Abure faction. This development has been described by the Caretaker Committee as a "sad development" for Nigerian democracy.

​Claims and Counter-Claims: A He Said, She Said Battle

​The narrative surrounding the incident is complex, with both sides trading accusations of illegality. The Abure-led faction, through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, told a different story. They claimed it was the Nenadi Usman camp, aided by "eight truck-loads of policemen" and allegedly accompanied by the Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, that forcefully broke into the Secretariat in the early hours of Tuesday.

​Abure’s team alleges that the opposing faction barred legitimate staff from entering the building and carted away valuable files and materials. They maintain that they have obtained a Stay of Execution on the court judgment and have already filed an appeal, arguing that the takeover by the Nenadi group was premature and prejudicial.

​The Impact on Nigeria's Democratic Fabric

​This leadership crisis is more than just a party squabble; it has broader implications for political stability in Nigeria. Kenneth Okonkwo and other prominent figures have noted that the credibility of political institutions is at risk when party leadership is decided through "clashes and confrontations" rather than clear legal and democratic processes.

​The Nenadi Usman faction has called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser to intervene and address what they describe as an "unlawful invasion." They argue that if such anomalies are not checked, they pose a direct threat to the sanctity of democratic institutions in the country.

​What Lies Ahead for the Labour Party?

​As the legal battle moves to the Court of Appeal, the Labour Party remains a house divided. While Governor Alex Otti has made calls for reconciliation, inviting the Abure faction to "sheathe their swords," the rejection of these moves suggests that the road to peace will be long and arduous. For now, the National Headquarters stands as a physical symbol of the party's fragmented state, with billboards being torn down as quickly as they are put up.