Labour Party Factional Crisis Deepens: Julius Abure Ally Calls Nenadi-Usman an “Impostor”

Barry Johnson alleges illegal takeover of LP National Secretariat amid ongoing legal battle

A senior member of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), Barry Johnson, has labelled Interim National Chairman Nenadi-Usman an “impostor,” accusing her of illegal occupation of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

Johnson spoke during an interview on Trust TV on Wednesday, asserting that Nigeria can no longer tolerate political criminality and warning against attempts to undermine party structures through judicial or extrajudicial maneuvers.

Allegations of “Breaking and Entry”

“The judgment that Nenadi-Usman got from the Federal High Court in Abuja said she’s a chairman. It means that judgment is wrong,” Johnson said.

He cited prior rulings in favour of Julius Abure, including a decision from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, reinforcing Abure’s claim to the chairmanship.

“What Nenadi Usman is doing at our National Secretariat is breaking and entry, stealing,” Johnson added, clarifying that while his faction will not take the law into their own hands, they are determined to assert their political rights within the party.

Background of the Crisis

The statement comes amid heightened tension in the Labour Party following the takeover of the National Secretariat by Nenadi-Usman’s camp after a controversial court ruling. The Abure-led faction has consistently challenged the legitimacy of Usman’s leadership, leading to a bitter intra-party power struggle that has attracted national attention.

Political analysts say the Labour Party’s leadership crisis could influence its cohesion and performance ahead of the 2027 general elections, as factions continue to dispute the party’s administrative control.