Labour Party Crisis Deepens As Abure- led NEC Dissolves Nenadi Usman Committee

The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party escalated on Tuesday as a faction of the National Executive Council (NEC) loyal to Julius Abure announced the dissolution of the caretaker committee headed by Esther Nenadi Usman.

In a statement issued in Abuja by NEC Forum Secretary, Abdulrahim Chindo, the Abure-aligned bloc declared the caretaker committee illegal, accusing it of inflicting “incalculable damage” on the party since its emergence.

The faction, comprising elected state chairmen and secretaries, said the decision was reached during a virtual NEC meeting held on March 17, 2026, amid ongoing disputes over the party’s legitimate leadership.

“The NEC in session reviewed the activities of the caretaker committee and concluded that its existence was not only unconstitutional but harmful to the unity and progress of the party,” the statement said.

The group reaffirmed its loyalty to the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abure, insisting that his leadership remains the only structure recognized by the party’s constitution.

It also referenced the March 27, 2024 national convention and a subsequent NEC endorsement in November 2025 as the basis for its position.

In a further show of authority, the faction directed Abure to initiate formal processes with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, though this remains subject to the outcome of ongoing litigation.

The NEC faction also mandated Abure and the party’s National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, to pursue an appeal at the Court of Appeal to overturn a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on January 21, 2026.

As part of its resolutions, the group nullified all notices earlier issued to INEC by the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, signaling a rejection of actions taken by the rival bloc.