Labour Party Turmoil Deepens: Abure Faction Threatens to Expel Rep Afam Ogene, Launch Recall Process
The internal crisis rocking Nigeria’s Labour Party has taken a dramatic turn as the Julius Abure-led faction has threatened to expel Hon. Afam Ogene, a serving member of the House of Representatives, while also vowing to initiate a recall process against him from his constituency.
In a fiery statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the faction accused Ogene of “poor legislative performance” and disloyalty to the party’s leadership, particularly targeting the faction loyal to Abure.
But beneath the political mudslinging lies a deeper question: Is this a case of party discipline or political witch-hunting?
Tensions Boil Over: Ogene’s “Offense”
Ogene, a vocal representative elected under the Labour Party platform, is being accused of holding and circulating a “classified document” allegedly from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), a move the party describes as highly irregular and criminal in nature.
“He attempted to cyber-bully the Attorney-General, the police, and our party’s leadership over what is purely a political matter,” Ifoh alleged.
The statement questioned how Ogene, a legislator, obtained such sensitive material which, according to Ifoh, should only be in the custody of high-level officials like the Inspector-General of Police or the Minister of Justice.
A Call for Police Interrogation
Going a step further, the party called on the Nigeria Police Force to interrogate Ogene regarding the source of the alleged document.
“If any such document is truly in existence, the IGP must question him. This is a breach of national protocol and possibly a criminal offense,” Ifoh said.
But observers have questioned whether this is about safeguarding national interest or silencing dissent. “Why the rush to involve police rather than handle this internally, unless there’s something to hide?” asked Dr. Uche Chima, a political governance expert.
Suspension Sparks Firestorm
According to the Abure faction, Ogene has already been suspended for what they describe as his “incapability” to lead the Labour Party’s caucus in the National Assembly an accusation some see as vague and unsubstantiated.
This suspension, according to Ifoh, is what triggered Ogene’s “dirty fight” against the leadership. But the timing of the move, coming shortly after the Supreme Court upheld Abure’s leadership, suggests deeper fractures within the Labour Party’s ranks.
Political Power Play or Due Process?
The Labour Party’s internal battles are not new but they’re becoming increasingly public and aggressive, especially with the 2027 elections drawing closer. For many, this feels less like party discipline and more like a power struggle to consolidate control within the ranks.
“This is not just about Ogene,” one insider said on condition of anonymity. “This is about control. There are those in the party who fear his independence and are now using technicalities to push him out.”
What’s Next?
The Abure faction has warned that if Ogene continues to challenge its authority, it will go ahead with his full expulsion and a recall campaign from his federal constituency.
But questions remain:
What is in the so-called classified document?
Was due process followed in suspending Ogene?
Is the Labour Party suppressing dissent or enforcing discipline?
Whatever the answers, one thing is clear: the Labour Party’s internal crisis is far from over, and the coming months will likely bring more revelations, more power plays, and possibly more defections.
Reference
Labour Party Turmoil Deepens: Abure Faction Threatens to Expel Rep Afam Ogene, Launch Recall Process