Kaduna Labour Party Declares Support for Nenadi Usman, Rejects Abure-Led Faction

The internal crisis rocking Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) deepened over the weekend as the Kaduna State chapter formally declared its support for Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership, while issuing a stern rebuke to the faction loyal to Julius Abure.

In a press conference held in Kaduna, Elder Yusuf Solomon Danbaiki, interim chairman of the Labour Party in the state, announced that 15 local government chairmen from all three senatorial districts had endorsed Senator Usman as the legitimate national leader of the party. Danbaiki stated that the decision reflected the collective will of LP stakeholders in Kaduna and was based on the senator’s “proven integrity, administrative experience, and commitment to restructuring the party.”

The local leaders praised Senator Usman’s record in public service, which includes her roles as a former finance minister and senator.

They also commended her ongoing efforts to unite and reposition the party following months of leadership tussles at the national level.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Hosea Jonathan from Kaura Local Government Area described the Usman-led caretaker committee as a “rescue mission” to restore order and democratic values to the party.

He criticized the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) as “illegitimate” and accused it of undermining the party’s constitutional framework.

The endorsement from Kaduna follows a major internal shift within the LP after the Supreme Court, in an April 2025 ruling, clarified that political parties have the exclusive right to resolve their leadership disputes.

The judgment, while not explicitly affirming Julius Abure’s leadership, left a vacuum that has since been contested by multiple factions.

Senator Usman’s emergence as head of a caretaker committee has been backed by several state chapters and party stakeholders.

Her committee has since suspended Julius Abure and national secretary Umar Farouk for six months over allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities.

The group has also vowed to take disciplinary action against any member found to be aligning with what it calls the “Abure impostor faction.”

In response, Abure’s camp has rejected the caretaker committee, maintaining that his leadership remains valid.

They have accused Usman’s group of acting unconstitutionally and seeking to hijack the party. The division has thrown the LP into a state of uncertainty, with rival factions holding parallel meetings and issuing conflicting directives.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which oversees party affairs in Nigeria, has yet to officially recognize either faction. A spokesperson recently stated that the commission is monitoring developments and will respond when there is clear evidence of party consensus or a judicial directive.

The Kaduna LP’s declaration of support for Usman significantly strengthens her position in the ongoing leadership battle. It also highlights a broader pattern of defection from Abure’s camp, as more state chapters reassess their allegiances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As the internal conflict continues, political observers say the Labour Party risks further fragmentation unless it can quickly resolve the leadership impasse and restore unity. With public interest in the party still high following its strong performance in the 2023 elections, the stakes for its credibility and electoral prospects remain significant.