Fresh crisis in Labour Party as NEC sacks Nenadi Usman, affirms support for Abure

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The crises rocking the Labour Party reared its head again on Tuesday as the National Executive Council, NEC, of the party claimed it has dissolved the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC recognized Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee of the party.

The NEC meeting reaffirmed its confidence in the National Working Committee of the party led by Mr Julius Abure.

The NEC which comprises elected states chairpersons of Labour Party and their secretaries dissolved the Nenadi Usman- led caretaker committee in a resolution adopted at the end of their virtual meeting held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

This is made known in a statement issued by the Secretary of the NEC Forum, Alhaji Abdulrahim Chindo, in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the NEC also called on the National Chairman, Mr Julius Abure to issue relevant notices to INEC for the conduct of Primaries for the 2027 General Election in line with INEC timetable.

“The following resolutions were adopted: Arising from the Tribune publication on the 6th of March 2026, calling for both virtual and physical NEC meeting, this virtual meeting became imperative.

“The meeting was attended by the State Chairmen and Secretaries validly elected on the 6th of December 2025, including other prominent members of the Party.

“NEC in session reviewed the activities of the Caretaker Committee and concluded that it had done incalculable damage to the party since its inception illegally.

“NEC consequently dissolved the Esther Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee. NEC in session reaffirms its confidence in the National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure.

“Elected in the National Convention held on the 27th of March 2024 and reaffirmed by the NEC meeting of the Party held on the 28th of November 2025, monitored by INEC.”

The statement further said NEC in session mandated Barrister Julius Abure and Umar Ibrahim to pursue the appeal pending at the Court of Appeal in order to set aside the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on January 21, 2026.

NEC in session mandated Barrister Julius Abure and Umar Ibrahim to issue the relevant notices to INEC for the conduct of Primaries for the 2027 General Election in line with INEC timetable when the Federal High Court judgment is set aside.

NEC nullified all notices hitherto issued to INEC by the Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee.

(NAN)