Senator Nenadi Usman, the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, is poised to formally assume control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, marking a historic moment as the first woman to lead a major political party in Nigeria.
The party headquarters, located in the Utako District of the Federal Capital Territory, was previously occupied by the faction led by Julius Abure.
That changed following a recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which officially recognised Usman and members of the party’s caretaker committee as the legitimate leadership.
As of the time this report was filed, preparations were underway at the secretariat, with a large banner displaying the images of Usman and the Acting National Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, being mounted on the building to signal the start of a new phase for the party.
The leadership transition follows a judgment delivered last month by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which held that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had expired.
The court subsequently directed INEC to recognise the caretaker committee headed by Usman pending the organisation of a national convention.
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The ruling came after months of internal wrangling, multiple court actions, and competing leadership claims that escalated in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.
The faction aligned with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, welcomed the court’s decision, while urging party members to embrace reconciliation and unity.
Abure, however, rejected the judgment and announced plans to appeal, cautioning INEC against recognising the Otti-backed group.
INEC later cited the court order in formally acknowledging Usman as Acting National Chairman.
About two weeks ago, Abure’s name was removed from the commission’s official website and replaced with Usman’s.
Other national officers now listed by INEC include Senator Darlington Nwokocha as National Secretary, Hamisu Santuraki as National Treasurer, Aisha Madije as National Financial Secretary, and Eric Ifere as National Legal Adviser.