1 week Ago By Abbas Jimoh
By Abbas Jimoh Abbas Jimoh Sacks House of Reps caucus leader Obi’s faction sets April 9 for own NEC meeting The leadership crisis in the Labour Party (LP) has deepened as the National Executive Committee (NEC) led by the embattled national chairman Julius Abure has threatened sanctions on the party’s lone governor, Dr Alex Otti of Abia State, and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing them of anti-party activities. This warning followed a meeting in Abuja on Monday, where the Abure-led NEC warned that Otti, Obi, and other party members involved in what they termed “illegal” activities risked disciplinary actions. The committee expressed strong opposition to a scheduled stakeholders’ meeting, planned by Otti and Obi’s faction for Wednesday, April 9, and deemed it a violation of the party’s constitution.
Separate NEC meetings after Supreme Court ruling The rift within the LP was further exacerbated on Monday after separate NEC meetings were summoned by both factions following the Supreme Court ruling on the party leadership last Friday. While the Abure faction met on Monday, the Obi/Otti faction has also scheduled its own NEC gathering for April 9, raising concerns about the party’s unity. In his address after the meeting, the LP’s National Secretary, Farouk Umar Ibrahim, warned that Otti’s faction, which had been accused of backing a caretaker committee, could face severe penalties for breaching the LP constitution.
He emphasised that such meetings could only be summoned with approval from the national chairman, in accordance with party rules. The leadership crisis also sparked fears of potential violence. Ibrahim accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee of allegedly planning to invade and take over the party’s secretariat.
These actions, he claimed, were being facilitated by Otti and another unnamed prominent party leader. Security around the party secretariat was ramped up, with police vans and DSS vehicles parked nearby to prevent any disruptions. Plain-clothed security officers were deployed to ensure order, as tensions around the secretariat remained high.
Ibrahim further claimed that youths, allegedly backed by Otti’s camp, were involved in disruptive behaviour in the vicinity, including smoking substances in public view. In a related decision, the NEC removed Hon. Afam Ogene as the leader of the LP’s caucus in the House of Representatives.
According to the communique issued after the meeting, Ogene was relieved of his duties for dereliction of responsibility, including a failure to represent the party’s ideologies and a lack of cohesion among LP lawmakers. He was replaced by Barrister Ben Etanabene representing the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State. The NEC further instructed Ogene to return all party properties in his possession and account for financial contributions made by other LP members, stressing that any failure to do so would result in further actions.
Before entering the closed-door session, Abure publicly asserted that there was no leadership vacancy in the LP. He labelled Obi and Otti as “betrayers” for undermining the party and emphasized that the Supreme Court had reaffirmed the LP’s autonomy, making it clear that internal matters within the party should not be influenced by external forces. “There is no vacancy in our party.
In the Labour Party, we don’t betray our candidates,” Abure stated. He further dismissed claims that the LP leadership was in disarray, stressing that his role as national chairman remained unchallenged. Kingibe backs Nenadi Usman’s c’ttee Meanwhile, LP’s sole senator, Ireti Kingibe, has backed the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, which was formed following the party’s leadership crisis.
In a statement on her X handle, Kingibe praised the Supreme Court’s ruling as a significant step towards strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring internal party democracy. She commended Usman’s leadership, saying it presented a unique opportunity for the LP to rebuild trust and re-establish a stronger, more unified structure. Kingibe also acknowledged the critical role of the Obidient movement, expressing support for its full integration into the LP.
“This is a pivotal moment for the LP,” Kingibe wrote. “Under Senator Usman’s leadership, we have a chance to reset the party’s direction, focusing on unity, integrity, and the collective interests of our members.” Kingibe concluded by urging all LP members, both old and new, to come together for the party’s renewal and to focus on the shared goal of achieving good governance and social justice.
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