History is being made as Senator Nenadi Usman, Nigeria’s first female national chairman of a political party, formally took over the Labour Party‘s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, amid heavy security presence.

Armed police officers were stationed within and around the party headquarters as Usman, the acting National Chairman, assumed control from the Julius Abure-led faction.

Usman confirmed the development in a phone interview through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa.

At the secretariat, gun-toting policemen manned the premises, while party supporters, members, and journalists were subjected to strict security screening before being allowed entry.

All Labour Party banners and billboards featuring Abure and his executives had been removed and replaced with those of Usman.

It was gathered that the new leadership had directed members to begin preparations to take over Labour Party state secretariats nationwide.

Reacting to the development, Usman described the takeover as long overdue.

“Yes, the police mounting guard at the national secretariat were invited by our people. They are there to perform their duties in line with the court’s judgment. We are doing this together with the NLC,” she said.

She dismissed fears of confrontation with the Abure faction, insisting there was no basis for resistance.

“There can’t be any confrontation from Abure. He moved all his belongings from the office after the judgment. There is no longer room for factional claims. We are officially taking over the party,” she stated.

Usman assured that the process would be peaceful, noting that the police presence reflected a clear shift in the legal standing of the party’s leadership.

Shortly after, the interim leadership issued a media invitation announcing an official handover ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. at the secretariat.

Reacting to the development, the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the Abure-led group would respond officially, claiming the judgment had been appealed.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled that Abure’s tenure had elapsed and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the caretaker committee led by Usman pending a national convention.

INEC subsequently updated its records, replacing Abure’s name with Usman’s as acting National Chairman, alongside other newly recognised national officers.