The lingering crisis within the Labour Party has taken a fresh twist following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s rejection of a bid by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee to dissolve all existing state executives across the country.
An exclusive findings by Spear News, the Caretaker Committee has been thrown into confusion after INEC firmly rebuffed its request to sack elected Ward, Local Government, and State executives loyal to the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure.
A leaked memo emanating from INEC’s headquarters in Abuja has revealed that the electoral body has told the Usman-led faction in clear terms that it lacks the powers to dissolve the existing structures of the party.
The memo, written on February 16, 2026, by the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, bore the reference number INEC/DEPM/LP/283/IV/36. It was addressed to the Caretaker Committee Chairman in response to a request dated February 6, 2026, seeking to notify INEC of the dissolution of executives across the 36 states and the FCT.
In the response, which has rattled the Usman camp since it was received two weeks ago, INEC stated: “The Commission regrets to inform you that the dissolution of State, Local Government and Ward Executives of your Party in all the 36 States and FCT by the National Executive Council (NEC) without giving the Statutory Notice of the meeting to the Commission and without the authority to act in your Party Constitution cannot be acceded to.”
Labour Party had between December 2nd and 6th, 2025, successfully conducted its ward, local government, and state congresses with INEC’s approval and monitoring. These congresses produced executives who are now at the center of the dispute.
The only exception was Abia State, where a State High Court restrained the party from proceeding with the congress pending the determination of charges filed against the state leadership. Currently, Governor Alex Otti’s brother, Emma Otti, is said to be holding the party structure in the state informally.
Labour Party crisis dates back to September 4, 2024, when a group led by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Governor Otti held what sources described as an “ill-fated and illegal stakeholders meeting” in Umuahia. This meeting effectively triggered a mutiny against the Abure-led leadership.
Court records obtained by Spear News show that all cases filed up to the Supreme Court regarding the party’s leadership were resolved in favour of the Abure faction.
However, a controversial Federal High Court judgement in the FCT on January 21, 2026, reportedly misinterpreted the Supreme Court’s decision by recognizing Nenadi Usman as the valid leader and ordering INEC to do the same. That judgement has since been appealed.
The Usman-led faction, with the protection of police and other security agencies, recently invaded and occupied the party’s national secretariat, effectively driving out Abure and his team. This action was taken despite a stay of execution order and a notice of appeal duly served on the faction.
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