Abuja — The Labour Party (LP) has accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of engaging in subtle blackmail and attempting to undermine its leadership through threats of forceful occupation of its offices across the country.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described the NLC’s plan to “invade” LP offices nationwide as an orchestrated attempt to portray the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) as illegitimate in the eyes of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

The backlash comes a day after NLC President Joe Ajaero directed union leaders to begin mobilising for a takeover of the party’s 36 state offices and national headquarters. The move, Ajaero said, follows the Supreme Court’s recent ruling which he claimed had invalidated Abure’s leadership—a claim LP strongly contests.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the threat, but there is a need to assure our teeming members of our commitment to resist all forms of rascality and intimidation from persons who think themselves to be above the law,” said Ifoh.

He accused Ajaero of exhibiting “hooliganism and rascality,” behaviours he argued were unbecoming of a union leader. According to Ifoh, the NLC’s latest posture amounted to “pure blackmail” of state institutions like INEC and law enforcement.

Flashback to March 2024 Incident

The LP spokesman also recalled a similar incident in March 2024, when NLC members allegedly stormed and broke into LP offices, including the national headquarters. Ifoh said that attack, which was reported to the police, resulted in the theft of sensitive documents and valuables.

He warned that the LP would not tolerate a repeat of such actions, stating that any invasion of its offices would be met with stiff resistance.

“Let it be known that we will take every legal means to deal with Ajaero and his gangsters should they attempt to resort to self-help,” Ifoh said.

He also indicated that the party would formally petition the Registrar of Trade Unions if the NLC proceeds with its threat.

LP Asserts Supreme Court Did Not Sack NWC

Addressing the legal basis of the dispute, Ifoh reiterated that the Supreme Court ruling cited by Ajaero did not invalidate the tenure of the current LP leadership. He said the court reaffirmed that internal affairs of political parties are outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary unless clearly provided by law.

“The Supreme Court did not sack the NWC nor pronounce that our tenure has lapsed. Ajaero should seek proper legal advice if he cannot comprehend a simple court pronouncement,” he added.

Security, Mobilisation, and Next Steps

The LP says it will seek security protection for its offices nationwide but is also prepared to mobilise its members to resist any unlawful action by the NLC. Ifoh stressed that the NLC has no trade dispute with the party and, therefore, lacks legal grounds to picket or occupy LP premises.

“There is no union operating within our offices and no staff of the NLC in our employment. Their planned action is purely illegal,” he stated.

The escalating dispute between the Labour Party and the Nigeria Labour Congress, traditionally seen as ideological allies, points to a deepening internal crisis that could have wider political implications as Nigeria heads toward future elections.