JUST IN: Crisis Tears LP Apart As Abure Hits Gov Otti, Plans To Use The Sledgehammer

The Labour Party (LP) crisis intensified on Tuesday when its leadership admonished Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to focus solely on governance and refrain from interfering in the party’s affairs.

Julius Abure, the LP National Chairman, delivered this warning at a press conference in Abuja. He expressed frustration, stating, “It is bad enough that we face criticisms and persecution from those trying to tear the party apart, but it is even worse when our own chieftains, members, and stakeholders follow the same path.”

Abure’s discontent arose from a recent discussion with Otti, during which the governor revealed plans to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on August 31. Otti intended to “dissolve the National Executive Council, State Executive Council, Local Government Executive Council, and Ward Executive Council” based on the claim that their tenures had expired.

Abure rejected this move, asserting that it was beyond the governor’s authority to make such decisions. He announced that the LP’s National Working Committee (NWC) had established a disciplinary committee to address actions that could undermine the party.

“The National Working Committee also notes that assuming, without conceding, that the tenure of the current NWC has even expired, we must state clearly that it is not the responsibility of Dr. Alex Otti as the Governor of Abia State to convene a NEC meeting for the purpose of setting up a caretaker committee. It is still the responsibility of the national chairman and the national secretary of the party to convene such a meeting,” Abure stated.

He added, “Secondly, it is the responsibility of INEC to officially communicate to the party in writing as to why it has objections to the conduct of the convention and, indeed, to draw the attention of the leadership to the fact that their tenure has expired. We want to appeal to our colleagues to concentrate on governance and allow us to handle party affairs.”

Abure also emphasized, “The national leadership states clearly that it will not hesitate to discipline any member who is not ready to obey the party constitution and, indeed, obey the lawful directive of the leadership. The national leadership hereby states unequivocally that there is no vacuum in the leadership of our party.”

He further defended the Labour Party, saying, “The Labour Party is different from other political parties in the sense that it is not a party that is controlled by one man, woman, or leader; neither is it a party that can be put in the pocket of one person. It is a party for the generality of the people. The outlook of the party made it possible for people like Dr. Alex Otti to use the platform and win in 2023 after trying and failing in APC, PDP, and even APGA.”

Abure addressed Otti’s argument, which was based on an alleged position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the tenures of the NWC and other grassroots leaders had expired. He dismissed this claim, noting, “Therefore, for any person(s), group, or agency to speculate that the tenures of the current executives have expired is not only mischievous but a deliberate attempt to put the party in comatose. Apart from the fact that a Federal High Court in Abuja has already validated the National Convention held on March 27, other persons have challenged the party’s convention.”

He concluded, “It is, therefore, trite in our laws that once cases are pending in our courts, parties are to maintain status quo ante in order not to destroy the rest of the party. INEC is expected not to descend into the arena of conflict but to continue with its neutrality and work cordially with the recognized leadership of the Party until the courts state otherwise.”

Abure’s statements highlight a deepening rift within the LP and could potentially create an opportunity for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to challenge the party’s hold in Abia State, where it currently governs.

Last week, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu declared that Otti would be the “only and last LP governor to rule Abia State,” asserting that the APC plans to displace him and take over in 2027.