The Labour Party (LP) faction led by Nenadi Usman has issued a sharp rebuke against Julius Abure, demanding he cease “commercializing” the party’s framework and refrain from parading himself as its national chairman.
In a statement released on Monday by the faction’s National Secretary, Darlington Nwokocha, the group declared that Abure’s leadership is unconstitutional and unrecognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Labour Party is not for sale. Mr Abure and his associates should seek legitimate means of livelihood rather than attempting to commercialise political structures,” the statement asserted.
The Usman-led faction accused Abure of deliberately distorting INEC’s recent communication regarding the party’s leadership. According to Nwokocha, INEC’s statement on January 7 clarified that Abure’s tenure had lapsed, based on a Supreme Court judgment from April 4, 2025. The commission had reportedly cautioned Abure and his supporters against presenting themselves as LP officials.
Nwokocha further alleged that Abure’s camp has filed over 20 lawsuits against INEC and the recognized party leadership across various courts in Nigeria—a move described as a “blatant abuse of court processes” intended to deepen the party’s internal crisis.
The statement also refuted claims that Abure awarded Nwokocha a senatorial ticket in 2023, clarifying that he emerged through legitimate primaries.
The Labour Party has been entangled in a protracted leadership dispute, with multiple factions vying for control. The latest salvo from the Usman-led group signals ongoing tensions as the party attempts to unify ahead of future elections, including the upcoming Federal Capital Territory council polls.
INEC has not issued a new public statement following the faction’s latest claims.
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