By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The acting National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Nenadi Usman, has disclosed that the factional chairman of the party, Julius Abure, has moved his belongings from the national secretariat following a Federal High Court order.
Usman stated this on Tuesday, February 10, while taking over the party’s headquarters from the Abure-led faction, amid heavy security presence at the party’s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja.
She confirmed the development through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa.
Asked if her camp was prepared for possible resistance from the Abure faction, Usman ruled out any confrontation.
“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.
“Since we started the agitation to take over the party secretariat, our name has not been on the INEC portal. There has never been a clear court directive by any court in Nigeria until now that Nenadi has been fully recognised as the national chairman.
“Now, the situation doesn’t give room for anybody to hang around again and be saying, ‘I am a factional this or that.’ No, not anymore. We are officially taking over the party this morning.
“I can assure you there won’t be violence or confrontation as you feared. For the police to even agree to come, you can understand that the game has changed. Before, if you wrote to the police, they would pretend like they didn’t see it,” she noted.
At the party’s national headquarters, gun-toting and stern-looking policemen were stationed within and around the premises.
It was also observed that all Labour Party banners and giant billboards bearing the faces of Abure and his executives within the premises have been replaced with those of Usman.
Party supporters, members, and journalists were subjected to strict security screening and asked to provide proper identification before gaining access to the secretariat.
Also, sources within the party said the new leadership had also directed members to begin preparations to take over other Labour Party state secretariats across the country.
Usman also confirmed that the takeover was long overdue, adding that the police were invited by the party to provide security during the takeover.
The party’s interim leadership also sent out a press invitation to journalists to witness the official takeover of the national secretariat by 11 a.m.
The statement read, “Media Invitation. The Labour Party Interim Leadership, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, invites you to the handing-over ceremony of the Progress Report on Membership Revalidation and Registration to the National Leadership of the Party, as well as the occasion of the taking over of the Party’s National Secretary position at Utako, Abuja. You’re invited to witness the events.”
Reacting, the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the Abure-led faction would respond officially.
“It is strange to hear the police sealed off 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.”
