A faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure has accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of planning to invade the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

This comes after the Supreme Court nullified an appeal court verdict recognizing Abure as the LP national chairman.

Background of the Crisis
The LP is embroiled in a leadership crisis, with Abure’s leadership being opposed by the NLC and a faction of the party led by Nenadi Usman, chairman of the LP caretaker committee. The Usman-led committee is backed by Peter Obi, the party’s standard-bearer in the 2023 election, and Alex Otti, governor of Abia.

Allegations of Planned Invasion
Abure’s faction alleges that the NLC is mobilizing its members, hired thugs, and miscreants to invade the LP national secretariat, with the aim of carting away sensitive documents and vandalizing party property. The invasion is reportedly expected to commence on Monday.

Reaction from the Labour Party
The LP has condemned the alleged plans, describing them as “irresponsible and an evidence of desperation by the NLC”. The party has also asked the police and security agencies to forestall any breach of peace at the party’s secretariat.

Supreme Court Judgement
The Supreme Court’s judgement, delivered on April 5, 2025, mandates that political parties resolve their crises using internal mechanisms and that leadership issues are an internal affair of the parties. The judgement did not give the NLC or any other body the right to take over the leadership of the Labour Party.

Implications of the Crisis
The leadership crisis in the LP has polarized the party into factions, with different groups vying for control. The Supreme Court’s judgement has been interpreted differently by the factions, with some seeing it as a victory for their side. The crisis has also raised concerns about the stability and future of the party.