The Labour Party has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force and the Kayode Egbetokun over what it described as the “complicity” of security operatives in the invasion and occupation of its National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja.
In a statement signed by Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, Deputy National Chairman of the party, the leadership said it had endured “all manner of threats” for over a year from disgruntled elements allegedly backed by external interests. The party noted that these threats, which included plans to picket and occupy the secretariat, were often linked to factions associated with Abia State, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and self-styled party stakeholders.
According to the statement, the most recent invasion occurred around 1am on Tuesday, February 10, when hoodlums allegedly scaled the fence, pulled down party billboards, and replaced them with those of Nenadi Usman. The party said, “By the dawn of the day, we also noticed the unfortunate role played by the men of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The leadership alleged that police officers from Area Command, Life Camp, barricaded the entrance and prevented top officials, including the National Chairman and National Secretary, from accessing their offices. It stated: “The police officers however were permitting the persons from a list in their possession… including the Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu and Senator Nenadi Usman.”
The party further claimed that despite assurances from the Area Commander that the situation would be reversed in line with professional conduct, a larger contingent of officers returned the following day to restrict access and allow a faction to hoist banners of a so-called caretaker chairman.
“It is not in doubt that there is a certain group calling themselves the National Caretaker Committee… bent on causing a breakdown of law and order,” the statement said. “But we had expected that 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.”
Reacting to allegations made by Senator Usman that hoodlums were arrested at the secretariat, the party dismissed the claims as false. It said: “We find that statement not only laughable but very disgusting.” It added, “There were no hoodlums in the office… police only arrested three persons, one of whom is the FCT state secretary of the party and two other boys brewing Kunu drinks for their daily living.”
The Labour Party also accused the faction of illegally enforcing a lower court judgment, insisting that execution had been stayed and an appeal filed. “Ordinarily when there is a motion for stay of execution and there is a pending appeal, all parties are supposed to maintain status quo,” the statement read. “What they did was self help.”
Defending the party’s leadership, the statement maintained that the secretariat belongs to the executive led by Julius Abure, adding: “Do you break into what you already have? The documents in that office are ours not theirs. They are impostors and usurpers.”
The party further alleged plans to arrest some of its national officers, including the chairman, over their stance against what it called political impunity. “As we await the arrest, we call on all lovers of democracy to stand up and protect this democracy that we all fought for,” it said.
Concluding, the leadership urged the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure neutrality. “We implore the IGP to use his good offices in directing that the police officers maintain professionalism and neutrality,” the statement said, while appealing to party members nationwide to remain calm.