The Labour Party (LP) may be heading into another round of internal disputes, as key party stakeholders led by 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti have endorsed the newly constituted National Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Nenadi Usman.
The endorsement came during the LP’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and a stakeholders’ townhall held in Abuja on Wednesday. The gathering followed the recent Supreme Court judgment that nullified the recognition of Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.
Governor Otti, citing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, said the apex court had clearly ruled that the lower courts lacked jurisdiction to declare Abure chairman of the party. He explained that the court struck out the decisions in Abure’s favour and dismissed his cross-appeal.
“In that judgment, Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha were listed as appellants. The Supreme Court reaffirmed that the matter of party leadership was outside the jurisdiction of the lower courts, and Abure’s recognition was invalidated,” Otti said.
He further emphasized that the newly appointed caretaker committee will not seek to hold onto power but will guide the party toward an inclusive national convention.
“Our goal is simple — to midwife the emergence of a new, constitutionally backed leadership through democratic processes,” Otti stated, revealing that he had previously offered Abure a place in the leadership structure, either as Deputy Chairman or to contest again, but Abure had declined.
Obi Denies Rumours of Defection
Also speaking at the meeting, Peter Obi debunked speculations suggesting he was planning to leave the Labour Party.
“Let me be clear — I am Labour Party. I have not left, and I am not leaving,” Obi declared.
He called for unity and ideology-driven engagement within the party, stressing the need to rebuild from the grassroots to the national level. Obi also addressed Nigeria’s economic crisis, urging the Labour Party to continue advocating for justice and equity.
“We must be the moral compass. Even if we fail, let it be known that we failed trying to do what is right,” he said.
Abure Faction Kicks Back
However, in a swift rebuttal, the Abure-led faction of the LP challenged the interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling presented by Otti and other stakeholders.
National Publicity Secretary of the Abure faction, Obiora Ifoh, insisted that the court did not nullify Abure’s leadership or endorse the Usman-led committee.
“The Supreme Court merely reinforced the principle of internal party affairs, emphasizing party supremacy. The ruling didn’t direct a takeover or dissolution of the Abure-led executive,” Ifoh said.
He argued that the LP held a valid national convention in March 2024 where Abure and other party executives were elected in line with the party constitution and the Electoral Act. “Any meeting or group that does not follow due constitutional processes is illegal. Such actions are null and void,” Ifoh cautioned.
As the two factions lay claim to legitimacy, the Labour Party’s leadership crisis appears far from over, despite widespread calls for unity and strict adherence to the rule of law.
