The Labour Party has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force were complicit in the reported invasion and occupation of its National Secretariat located in Utako, Abuja.
In a statement dated February 13, 2026, and endorsed by the party’s Deputy National Chairman, Ayo Olorunfemi, the Labour Party accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command of interfering in its internal leadership crisis.
According to the statement, members of the party’s National Working Committee were denied access to their offices, while individuals linked to a rival faction were allegedly granted entry.
“For the past one year, there has been all manner of threats by some disgruntled elements in the Labour Party to picket, invade, and occupy the National Secretariat of the Labour Party in Utako,” the statement read.
Reported Late-Night Entry Into Secretariat
The party claimed that the most recent development occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday when individuals described by security staff as hoodlums allegedly climbed over the fence into the secretariat premises. It was further alleged that the intruders removed existing party billboards and replaced them with materials bearing the name of Nenadi Usman.
The faction connected to the action is reportedly operating under what the party described as a self-styled National Caretaker Committee headed by Usman.
By early morning, the statement alleged that police officers from the Area Command in Life Camp had stationed themselves at the entrance gate, preventing the National Chairman, Julius Abure, the National Secretary, and other key officials from gaining access to the building.
“To our chagrin, police officers from Area Command, Life Camp barricaded the entrance gate and prevented our National Chairman, National Secretary and some other National Officers from entering their offices,” Olorunfemi said.
He further claimed that only selected persons whose names allegedly appeared on a list, including Ikechukwu Emetu and Usman, were allowed to enter the premises.
The party also stated that Usman later addressed journalists at the secretariat while under police protection.
Meeting With FCT Police Authorities
Following the incident, party representatives said they met with the FCT Commissioner of Police and were directed to the Area Commander in Life Camp.
According to the statement, the Area Commander assured them that the police would act with professionalism and neutrality in handling internal disputes within political parties.
Despite that assurance, the Labour Party expressed disappointment, alleging that on Wednesday, February 11, a larger number of police officers returned to barricade the premises while permitting members of the rival faction to display banners identifying a “so-called Caretaker Chairman.”
“It is not in doubt that there is a certain group calling themselves the National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Esther Usman who invaded the office and are bent on causing a breakdown of law and order,” the statement read.
The party maintained that if authorities intended to seal the premises temporarily, access should have been denied to all parties to avoid the perception of bias.
“If the office was going to be sealed off temporarily, no group should be allowed access so as not to create the impression of bias on the side of the police,” it added.
Response to Allegations of Unlawful Entry
Reacting to claims made during Usman’s press conference that the Abure-led executive broke into the secretariat and removed documents, the Labour Party dismissed the accusation.
“How can she say that their office was invaded when, indeed, the office still belongs to the Abure-led executive? How can any reasonable person be talking about breaking in? Do you break into what you already have?” the statement said.
Addressing reports that hoodlums were arrested within the premises, the party challenged the police to present evidence supporting the claim.
“We challenge the police to produce the hoodlums that were alleged to have been arrested in the party office,” Olorunfemi stated, alleging that only three individuals were detained, including the FCT State Secretary of the party, who resides at the premises, and two individuals engaged in selling local beverages for their livelihood.
Allegations of Self-Help and Planned Arrests
The party revealed that it had earlier written to the police on January 25 after receiving intelligence suggesting that the secretariat might be forcefully occupied. It accused the rival faction of resorting to self-help instead of following due legal procedures.
“Ordinarily, when there is a motion for stay of execution, and there is a pending appeal, all parties are supposed to maintain the status quo. By the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, there are procedures for the enforcement of judgments. What they did was self-help,” the statement noted.
The Labour Party also alleged that there were plans to arrest certain national officers, including the National Chairman, and appealed directly to the Inspector-General of Police for intervention.
“We implore the IGP to use his good offices in directing that the police officers maintain professionalism and neutrality in their current intervention at the Labour Party National Headquarters,” the statement concluded.
While urging supporters to remain calm, the party stated that it is pursuing lawful measures to resolve the leadership dispute and safeguard what it considers its legitimate executive structure.
As of the time this report was filed, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued any official response to the allegations.
What you should know
The Labour Party has petitioned Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun over alleged police involvement in its Abuja secretariat leadership dispute.
The party claims officers blocked the Abure-led executive from accessing the premises while allowing a rival faction led by Nenadi Usman entry. It described the action as biased and accused the faction of attempting to take control through self-help rather than legal channels.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
