The Labour Party (LP) crisis has taken a another dimension as the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) has threatened to suspend the 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 the sanction of suspension.
In a communique released after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, the party 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 party’s national chairman Julius Abure, national officers, state chairmen, secretaries, and other stakeholders.
LP NEC accused Governor Otti of convening unauthorised stakeholder 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 stakeholder meeting held on September 4, 2024 in Umuahia, Abia State.
The party leadership expressed grave concern over Governor Otti’s plans to host a separate NEC and stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for April 9, 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,” the Party stated.
Peter Obi, widely regarded as the face of the Labour Party during and after the 2023 presidential election, was also cautioned against actions that could disrupt party cohesion.
NEC warned that further unconstitutional conduct would attract “steeper penalties,” regardless of their 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 the judicial system reforms.
