The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, says there’s no vacuum in the party’s leadership. He made this clear during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday at the party’s secretariat in Utako, Abuja.
“There is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The Supreme Court judgement did not say the tenure of the current NWC under my leadership has expired,” Abure said.
He called the newly declared caretaker committee “illegal” and said it’s not recognised by the Labour Party’s constitution. “What happened in Umuahia, Abia State, was not a NEC meeting,” he said. “The so-called caretaker committee is an illegal entity.”
Abure insisted the group formed in Umuahia was created just to cause confusion. “The purported caretaker committee is just a meddlesome interloper whose sole purpose is to destroy our party.”
NEC Cautions Obi and Otti
The party’s NEC, led by Abure, warned Governor Alex Otti of Abia State over his plan to host what it described as an “unauthorised” stakeholders’ meeting on April 9. It also cautioned Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, against making statements or moves that could divide the party.
The NEC said it would not tolerate anti-party actions from any member, no matter how influential. “NEC in session… hereby caution the former presidential candidate… not to participate in any action capable of undermining the peace, unity, and integrity of the party,” said Alhaji Umar Farouk, the party’s National Secretary.
The party also removed Hon. Afam Ogene as its caucus leader in the House of Representatives. In his place, it appointed Barrister Ben Etanabene. The NEC said Ogene failed in his duties and accused him of holding back financial contributions from other party members.
NEC instructed him to return all party properties and money in his possession. It promised to recover everything he has, by legal means if necessary.
Abure Reaffirms Leadership, Condemns Factions
Abure said the Supreme Court ruling has confirmed that political parties can manage their internal affairs. He thanked the court for its position.
“The Supreme Court… affirmed the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs,” he said. He criticised Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha – members of the Caretaker Committee instituted by some stakeholders of the party for spinning a false narrative about the ruling.
“This so-called committee is both unconstitutional and illegitimate,” Abure said. He explained that only the National Secretary, with the National Chairman’s approval, can call meetings under the party’s constitution.
He pointed out that the party held a valid national convention in 2019 and extended its leadership’s tenure due to the 2023 elections. A fresh convention was held in Nnewi in March 2024, he said, and all procedures were followed.
Abure added, “The National Working Committee, under my chairmanship, remains the recognized and legitimate leadership body of our party. We shall not cede ground to illegitimate actors.”
NEC also accused Governor Otti of acting against the party by calling an illegal NEC meeting and alleged he organized local government elections with another political party. It warned him to stop all actions that could divide the Labour Party.
“The Governor has also intensified his effort to factionalize the party leadership by calling an illegal NEC,” the statement read. NEC said it believes that Otti plans to leave the party and contest the 2027 election under a different platform.
The NEC vowed to discipline any member acting outside the party constitution.
Obi’s Camp Fixes Rival Meeting
Meanwhile, Peter Obi’s media team announced that he and Governor Otti will hold their own NEC meeting on April 9 in Abuja.
Ibrahim Umar, Obi’s spokesman, said the meeting will include Datti Baba-Ahmed, ex-lawmakers, governorship candidates, and members of the caretaker and transition committees.
He said the purpose of their meeting is to clarify the Supreme Court judgement.
The lingering leadership problem in the party threatens to weaken the once favorite party of the youths and working class in 2023 into irrelevance in the 2027 general election.
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