The Senator Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party has raised alarm over what it describes as the harassment of its leaders by security agencies based on a “malicious petition” allegedly authored by Abayomi Arabambi, who the party claims is impersonating as its spokesperson.
In a statement signed by Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the LP’s Interim National Chairman, Ken Asogwa, the party disclosed that Arabambi’s petition falsely accused key Labour Party figures—including Mr. Peter Obi, Comrade Joe Ajaero, Senator Victor Umeh, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, and Dr. Yunusa Tanko—of plotting to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government under the guise of organizing a “One Million Man March.”
The statement read in part: “In the said petition, Arabambi accused prominent leaders of the Labour Party… of plotting a violent overthrow of the Bola Tinubu administration under the guise of organising a ‘One Million Man March.’ He further alleged that the said protest, scheduled for today, 30th July 2025, is aimed at reclaiming the former national secretariat of the party currently occupied by the erstwhile chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, at Utako, Abuja.”
The Labour Party vehemently denied the allegations, stating: “Let it be stated unequivocally: the leadership of the Labour Party is not aware of any planned protest anywhere in Nigeria under the auspices of the party. We have neither authorised nor sanctioned any individual or group to march on the streets in the name of reclaiming a property the party has long abandoned.”
The party explained that following the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025, ruling affirming Senator Usman’s leadership, it had formally notified law enforcement agencies to enforce the judgment by vacating illegal occupants from its former secretariat. However, due to the agencies’ inaction, the party relocated to a new headquarters.
“It is, therefore, laughable and deeply suspicious for anyone to insinuate that the Labour Party intends to forcibly reclaim a building it no longer uses,” the statement added.
The LP described the coup allegation as “a dangerous and desperate attempt to frame up respected leaders of the Labour Party in a phoney plot to destabilise the nation,” likening it to past regimes where dissidents were falsely accused of treason.
The party also claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services had begun harassing its officials based on the petition.
“We warn that this path is a slippery slope that endangers our democracy,” the statement continued. “The Labour Party therefore calls on all security agencies to thoroughly investigate this malicious petition and unmask the true faces behind this sinister agenda to heat up the polity through deceit, misinformation, and fear.”
The party reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and urged Nigerians to disregard what it called “a poorly scripted political drama.”
