On Tuesday, tensions within the Labour Party escalated as the party’s leadership admonished Abia State Governor Alex Otti to redirect his focus on governance and refrain from meddling in party affairs.
During a press conference in Abuja, Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, expressed his discontent over the situation. He emphasized that the party was already facing criticism and persecution from external entities attempting to destabilize it, and it was counterproductive for its own members and leaders to engage in similar disruptive behavior.
Abure’s frustration was particularly directed at a recent interaction with Governor Otti, who proposed holding a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on August 31, with intentions to dissolve various party councils under the pretext that their tenures had come to an end. Abure firmly dismissed Otti’s claims, asserting that such decisions fall outside the governor’s authority.
In light of this unfolding drama, Abure announced the establishment of a disciplinary committee within the party to address any misconduct by members or prominent figures that could jeopardize party unity. He stated, “Even if we entertain the notion that the current National Working Committee (NWC) has expired, it remains the duty of the national chairman and secretary to convene any such NEC meetings—not the governor of Abia State.”
He further clarified that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must officially notify the party if it has concerns regarding the conduct of conventions or if it believes any tenures have lapsed. Abure called upon his fellow party members to concentrate on their governance roles while leaving party matters to the appropriate leadership.
He reiterated that any member defying the party’s constitution and directives would face disciplinary actions, asserting, “There is no leadership vacuum in our party.” Unlike other political organizations, Abure expressed that the Labour Party is designed for the collective and is not dominated by any single individual. He pointed out that this structure enabled figures like Otti to secure victory in the 2023 elections after previous attempts with other political parties.
Abure also noted that Otti’s argument regarding the expiration of the current NWC and grassroots leadership was allegedly based on INEC’s stance. However, he clarified that there had been no previous discord with the commission until the party was recently omitted from discussions with them.
He concluded by highlighting that speculation about expired tenures is not only misleading but also a deliberate attempt to sow discord within the party.
He reminded everyone that a Federal High Court had already validated the Labour Party’s National Convention held on March 27, and that any pending legal matters require all parties to maintain the status quo to avoid further complications. INEC, he stated, should maintain neutrality and cooperate with the recognized leadership until the courts provide further clarification.
