Abia Governor Battles Party Chairman Over Suspension
The political turmoil within Nigeria’s Labour Party intensified yesterday as Abia State Governor Alex Otti demanded the arrest of Julius Abure, the disputed National Chairman who announced the governor’s suspension from the party.
Suspension Announcement
On Wednesday, the Abure-led faction of the Labour Party suspended Governor Otti and five other prominent party members, including a serving senator and two House of Representatives members, citing alleged anti-party activities.
The announcement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing leadership crisis that has split the Labour Party into two opposing factions.
Governor’s Response
Governor Otti wasted no time in responding through his media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, dismissing the suspension as “a joke taken too far” and “an affront on democracy.”
“For the record, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has rightly and unambiguously stated that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party,” Otti’s statement declared.
The governor further alleged that Abure announced the suspensions only hours after being summoned by a committee to face allegations of financial misappropriation, impersonation, and anti-party activities.
Call for Arrest
In a dramatic escalation, Governor Otti called on Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to arrest Abure for impersonation. He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment as a way of preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court and protecting our democracy.”
Leadership Dispute
The conflict stems from a complex legal battle over the party’s leadership:
- The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee had previously sacked the Abure-led executive in September last year
- They appointed Senator Nenadi Usman to lead a 29-member caretaker committee
- The Court of Appeal in Abuja later recognized Abure as the national chairperson
- On April 4, the Supreme Court set aside the lower court’s judgment
The Supreme Court ruled that leadership issues are an internal party affair beyond court jurisdiction, upholding Senator Usman’s appeal while dismissing Abure’s cross-appeal.
Conflicting Interpretations
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, the Abure faction insists he remains the legitimate chairman. National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh claimed the Supreme Court merely decided the matter was an internal party affair and did not explicitly set aside the earlier Court of Appeal judgment from November 2024.
Political Implications
Governor Otti, who was elected in 2023 on the Labour Party platform, belongs to the faction aligned with former presidential candidate Peter Obi, positioning this conflict as more than just an administrative dispute but a battle for the party’s future direction.
This deepening crisis threatens to undermine the Labour Party’s position as an emerging third force in Nigeria’s political landscape, just as the country prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story that may be updated as new information emerges.
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Reference
Labour Party Crisis: Abia governor reacts to suspension, asks IGP to arrest Abure