Labour Party's NEC Rejects Nenadi Usman, Reaffirms Support for Julius Abure
The Labour Party (LP) has been plunged into a fresh political crisis as its National Executive Council (NEC) has officially rejected the Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee, which is recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a decisive move, the NEC has instead reaffirmed its confidence in the National Working Committee led by Mr. Julius Abure, signaling a significant internal rift within the party.
NEC Dissolves Usman-Led Committee in Virtual Meeting
During a virtual meeting held yesterday, the NEC, comprising elected state chairpersons and their secretaries of the Labour Party, adopted a resolution to dissolve the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee. This action was confirmed in a statement issued by Alhaji Abdulrahim Chindo, the Secretary of the NEC Forum, from Abuja. The statement emphasized that the NEC's decision was made to address ongoing disputes and consolidate party leadership under Abure's direction.
Call for 2027 Election Primaries and Legal Action
In addition to dissolving the caretaker committee, the NEC has called on National Chairman Julius Abure to issue relevant notices to INEC for the conduct of primaries for the 2027 General Election, aligning with INEC's official timetable. Furthermore, the NEC has mandated Abure and Umar Ibrahim to pursue an appeal at the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on January 21, 2026, which had previously impacted the party's internal affairs.
This development highlights the deepening divisions within the Labour Party, as key factions clash over leadership and electoral strategies. The rejection of the INEC-recognized committee could have far-reaching implications for the party's cohesion and its preparations for upcoming elections, potentially affecting its political standing and voter confidence.
As the crisis unfolds, stakeholders are closely monitoring how the Labour Party navigates these internal challenges and whether it can present a united front in the lead-up to the 2027 polls.
