Tension In Labour Circles! NLC Halts Takeover Plot Of LP Offices—Here’s Why

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has revealed that it is temporarily holding off on its planned nationwide takeover of Labour Party offices to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) time to review the Supreme Court’s ruling on the party’s leadership crisis.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, Acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, made this known in an interview with The PUNCH on Saturday.

This development follows a directive issued nearly a month ago, on April 9, by NLC President Joe Ajaero, instructing union members to occupy all 36 state secretariats of the Labour Party and its national headquarters in Abuja.

The NLC insists the Supreme Court’s judgment invalidated the leadership of Julius Abure and the current National Working Committee. The initial directive echoed a similar event on March 21, when unionists stormed the party’s national office—a move the Labour Party condemned as a “violent invasion” meant to seize critical documents and funds.

INEC Yet to Respond to Supreme Court Verdict

Giving an update on the delay, Prof. Ndubuaku said the NLC is waiting for INEC to make an official response to the apex court’s decision.

“We are allowing INEC time to react. This is a very straightforward matter,” he stated. “The Supreme Court’s judgment is crystal clear. Regardless of how Abure tries to interpret it, we have already acted in line with the ruling.”

He stressed that the NLC’s plan has not been abandoned but simply postponed to uphold due process.

“This isn’t just a national matter; the international community is watching. We understand INEC is still reviewing the judgment, and though we’re unsure how long that will take, we’re choosing patience for the sake of democracy.”

Labour Party Cries Blackmail

In response, Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described the NLC’s planned action as nothing short of blackmail.