Tensions are running high within the Labour Party as the camp of embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure, braces for what they claim is an imminent, illegal takeover of the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
This follows the April 5 Supreme Court ruling that ousted Abure’s leadership, sparking a fierce standoff over the party’s future.
In a statement on Sunday, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the former National Secretary of the Labour Party, accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), alongside the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee and the National Transition Committee, of orchestrating a forceful takeover. The move is allegedly funded by the Abia State Government and other high-ranking party figures, with plans set for April 7.
According to Ibrahim, the objective is to forcibly seize sensitive documents and vandalise party property. The Abure camp has also raised alarm about the NLC mobilising thugs and miscreants for the operation, claiming the disruption could escalate into a security crisis for the Federal Capital Territory.
While Abure’s camp acknowledges the Supreme Court ruling, they maintain that the judgment only mandates internal party resolutions, not an external interference or leadership change. “Barrister Julius Abure remains the legitimate National Chairman, as he was validly elected in March 2024,” the statement insisted.
As the situation escalates, the Abure camp has called on the Police, DSS, and other security agencies to prevent any unrest and ensure that those responsible for the planned invasion face legal consequences.
With the internal struggle intensifying, the next few days are poised to be pivotal in the Labour Party’s leadership battle, as rival factions continue to interpret the Supreme Court ruling to suit their agendas.