Abure‑led Faction Alleges Police Officers Aided Invasion Of LP National Office, Petitions IGP

The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) escalated on Friday as the Barr Julius Abure‑led faction said it has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged complicity of some police officers in the invasion and occupation of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led executives on Tuesday.

Deputy national chairman of the Abure-led camp, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, who made the disclosure in a statement, said the secretariat has been under threat for more than a year from various groups, including elements from the Abia State government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and a self‑styled “Labour Party Stakeholders” coalition.

The Abure and Nenadi-Usman camps have been at loggerheads. However, following a High Court judgement, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised Nenadi Usman leadership of the party, which informed its recent take over of the party’s national office.

But according to Olorunfemi, at about 1 a.m. on February 10, 2026, hoodlums scaled the perimeter fence, tore down the party’s billboards and replaced them with those of Senator Nenadi Usman.

“By dawn, officers from the Area Command, Life Camp, had barricaded the main gate, blocking National Chairman Julius Abure, the National Secretary and other executives from entering while allowing a pre‑approved list of individuals, including Abia State Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and Senator Usman to access the premises.

“The police officers were permitting only persons on a list they held, insisting they were the only ones allowed into the offices,” he said.

He added that, despite assurances from the Area Commander that professionalism would be restored, a larger police contingent on February 11 again sealed the gate and permitted members of a rival faction to hoist banners of a so‑called “Caretaker Chairman.”

Olorunfemi described the police conduct as “unlawfully taking side with Senator Usman while resisting the leadership of the party as led by Barrister Julius Abure and his executive from gaining access into their offices.”

He urged the IGP to direct officers to maintain “professionalism and neutrality” at the Labour Party headquarters.

Senator Nenadi Usman, at the centre of the dispute, denied invading the secretariat, claiming instead that the Abure faction broke in and removed files, and that “hoodlums were arrested” inside the building.

Olorunfemi dismissed her remarks as “laughable and very disgusting,” challenging police to produce any arrested hoodlums and clarifying that only three people were detained, the FCT state secretary and two youths brewing kunu drinks.

The Abure-faction further accused Usman’s group of “self‑help” enforcement of a judgment without a court order and of spreading misleading information.

End.