The leadership tussle within Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) has intensified, with Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairperson of the party’s Caretaker Committee, responding to threats from factional National Chairman Julius Abure.
Abure had earlier warned that he would expose alleged financial misconduct involving prominent party members, including Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti.
“I am waiting for them, from top to bottom, to make any other move and I will open my mouth,” he said.
“And when I open my mouth, wherever they go to, they will be like smelly eggs, rotten eggs that nobody will ever buy.”
On Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Usman dismissed Abure’s comments and said the threats meant nothing.
“Well, I am challenging him to expose us. If you have anybody to expose, you don’t go and talk now, you go and expose them,” she said.
“We have a lot of things about him, and that is why the people whom he did it to went to the police. The police are investigating him, and very soon you will hear about it.”
Disciplinary Panel and Police Investigations
The Usman-led faction has launched a disciplinary process against Abure. The party has set up a six-member panel headed by Senator Ireti Kingibe.
The panel is tasked with investigating allegations of corruption, financial misconduct, and anti-party activities. It is expected to submit a report within 21 days.
“Pursuant to Article 19 of the Labour Party Constitution (1999 as amended), and in response to serious allegations, NEC hereby constitutes a disciplinary committee to investigate Julius Abure and recommend appropriate sanctions,” Usman said at the time of inaugurating the committee.
The former Finance Minister also framed the dispute as a fight for internal democracy.
“Generally, you would agree with me that every democracy needs to have a vibrant opposition. So when the opposition wants to become part of the ruling party, then there’s a problem. And that is where we are today,” she stated.
INEC’s Role and Factional Suspensions
Usman said Abure’s tenure had already ended and claimed that the party followed INEC’s instructions to resolve the leadership vacuum.
“Principally, the Labour Party leadership at some point had issues with INEC because the tenure of Abure and his NWC had come to an end,” she said.
“Which was why when INEC invited leaders of political parties, he attended the meeting and was told to step out with his secretary.”
After that meeting, Abure approached the court and got a ruling directing INEC to continue recognising him as chairman.
Meanwhile, the Abure-led faction has suspended six members of Usman’s group, including Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and Senator Ireti Kingibe. They accuse them of anti-party activities.
INEC has said it does not yet recognise any of the LP factions and is still reviewing the Supreme Court judgment before making any final decision.
As the party heads deeper into division, many await a resolution that will restore peace and help the LP focus on future elections.
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