A senior figure in a faction of Nigeria’s Labour Party has accused the party’s interim national chairperson of being an impostor, escalating a bitter internal leadership dispute. Barry Johnson, a chieftain in the Julius Abure-aligned camp, made the allegation during an interview on Trust TV, following the physical takeover of the party’s national secretariat by supporters of Nenadi Usman.
The confrontation stems from a recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that recognised Nenadi Usman as the legitimate interim national chairperson. This judgment contradicts an earlier ruling and a subsequent Court of Appeal verdict that affirmed Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman. Johnson argued that the newer judgment is erroneous, creating a situation where two conflicting legal recognitions exist for the party’s top leadership.
“Nenadi-Usman is an impostor. Nigeria has come to a time where it will not accept political criminality,” Johnson stated. He described the occupation of the secretariat by Usman’s faction as “breaking and entry, stealing,” though he asserted his group would not resort to extra-legal actions. “We will not take laws into our hands but we will show them that Nigeria belongs to all of us,” he added.
The Labour Party has been divided since the 2023 general elections, with parallel leadership structures vying for control. The secretariat takeover represents the latest physical manifestation of this crisis, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion ahead of future electoral cycles. Abure’s faction maintains its leadership is valid based on superior appellate court decisions, while Usman’s group cites the most recent high court ruling.
This development underscores the deepening institutional crisis within one of Nigeria’s opposition parties. The conflicting court orders have created a legal quagmire, with each side claiming legitimacy. The dispute now centres on the enforcement of the Abuja court’s directive, which Usman’s camp has acted upon by seizing the party’s headquarters.
The significance of this factional clash extends beyond internal party politics. It threatens to weaken the Labour Party’s organisational structure and its capacity to present a unified front, potentially altering the dynamics of Nigeria’s opposition landscape. Resolution remains uncertain, with the possibility of further litigation or political manoeuvring expected as both camps consolidate their positions. The party’s ability to reconcile these irreconcilable claims will be critical to its future relevance.
