LP Threatens Obi, Otti With Suspension

The Labour Party crisis has taken a different dimension as the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) has threatened to suspend the Executive Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to the LP, if Otti and Obi did not stop what they described as anti-party activities, they would soon face suspension.

In a communique released after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, the leadership cautioned both high-profile members against moves that could undermine the party’s unity and integrity.

The meeting, chaired by General Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, was attended by Julius Abure, the party chairman, national officers, state chairmen, secretaries, and stakeholders.

NEC accused Governor Otti of convening unauthorised stakeholders’ meetings, usurping NEC’s constitutional powers, and organising local government elections under the banner of another political party.

The committee also condemned what it described as an “illegally constituted caretaker committee” allegedly backed by Governor Otti and Peter Obi during a stakeholders’ meeting held on 4 September 2024 in Umuahia.

The party leadership expressed grave concern over Governor Otti’s plans to host a separate NEC and stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for 9 April 2025, labelling the move as a calculated attempt to factionalise the party.

“NEC in session stated that it would not hesitate to discipline him in line with Article 19 of the party’s constitution,” the communique read.

“The NWC has been empowered to take appropriate disciplinary action should he proceed with the illegal gathering.”

Peter Obi, widely regarded as the face of the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential elections, was also cautioned against actions that could disrupt party cohesion. The battle for control of the Labour Party took a different twist on Monday after the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, and the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, simultaneously called for separate meetings of the National Executive Committee to discuss the party’s future following Friday’s judgement by the Supreme Court.

While Abure’s NEC is scheduled at the national headquarters, Obi and Governor Alex Otti moved their stakeholders’ summit to a different venue.

Both parties made the summons in separate terse statements

The statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, read, “Press Invitation: The National Executive Committee meeting of the Labour Party held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the National Party Secretariat.”

Barely an hour after Abure’s invite was released, Obi and Otti also sent out invitations calling for stakeholders’ engagement in what many believed was a counter-move to sway the loyalty of their supporters. The statement signed by Obi’s Spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, partly read, “The two leading figures of the Labour Party, the 2023 presidential flag bearer Peter Obi and the sole state governor of the party, Alex Oti of Abia State, have summoned the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in Abuja on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

“In a notice signed by the two men, the NEC meeting shall be followed concurrently by an interactive Town Hall Engagement with major stakeholders and other organs of the party at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

“The stakeholders listed to attend the meeting include the vice presidential candidate for the 2023 election, serving and former senators and senatorial candidates of LP in the 2023 election, and serving and former members of House of Representatives and LP candidates in the 2023 election.”

NEC warned that further unconstitutional conduct would attract “steeper penalties,” regardless of his stature within the party.

Similarly, the party announced that Hon. Afam Victor Ogene would be removed as the Labour Party caucus leader in the House of Representatives.

According to NEC, the caucus leadership had become ineffective and failed to protect the party’s ideology and programmes within the lower chamber. Hon Ben Etanabene has been named as Ogene’s replacement.

“All financial records and party contributions must be handed over to the new caucus leader,” the communique stated, adding that the National Working Committee would inform relevant authorities of the change.

Despite the crisis, the LP NEC reaffirmed its commitment to offering Nigerians quality leadership under the stewardship of the National Chairman, Hon Julius Abure. It pledged governance, security, economic development, infrastructure, and judicial system reforms.