The Abure-led Labour Party (LP) has accused Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti of trying to take control of the party’s leadership through underhanded tactics. This accusation was made by Obiora Ifoh, the National Secretary of the party, in a statement issued in Abuja.
Obi was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, while Otti won the Abia governorship election using the LP platform. Their actions have sparked controversy amid ongoing internal conflicts within the party.
The recent turmoil follows a stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, where Sen. Nenadi Usman was backed as the interim leader after a lengthy legal battle between the Abure camp and the faction led by Lamidi Apapa.
Ifoh expressed concern over how the party had previously welcomed leaders who were denied tickets in their former parties, saying, “Many of these leaders who are now calling for the head of Julius Abure were once begging for tickets.”
He emphasized the Labour Party’s commitment to campaigning for their presidential candidate, stating, “We were haunted, maligned, and in some cases chased around because of our unwavering support.”
Ifoh claimed that Obi and Otti, among others, want to gain power through questionable means, alleging they are leveraging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do so.
He stated, “The same LP leadership stood by our governorship candidate in Abia, overcoming various pressures to secure victory.” He accused these leaders of attempting to exploit INEC’s stance on legality to seize control of the party.
While acknowledging that leadership changes may occur, Ifoh stressed that the current National Working Committee (NWC) is a product of a valid convention. He noted that a new executive would require another national convention.
Ifoh pointed out that a Federal High Court in Abuja had validated the party’s national convention held on March 26, 2024, confirming it was conducted according to the 2022 Electoral Act and the Labour Party Constitution. He reiterated that matters concerning party delegates at a national convention are beyond the jurisdiction of any court and stated, “Not even INEC can de-register the Labour Party, as some leaders are suggesting.”
