The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) went ahead with its nationwide ward congresses on Tuesday, covering all states except Abia, despite a court injunction obtained by Governor Alex Otti’s faction.
Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), described the exercise as having “impressive turnout and smooth conduct,” with supervision teams submitting “positive reports” from across the country. He emphasized that the party remains committed to strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The ward congress held today, Tuesday, while the local government congresses are scheduled for Thursday. The state congresses are expected on Saturday, December 6, at party headquarters across the states,” Ifoh said.
Abia State was excluded after an Abia State High Court halted the congress pending the determination of a suit filed against the state leadership. Ifoh, however, assured that the Abure faction would comply once the legal team vacates the order.
He also cited a November 28 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, attended by INEC officials, which resolved to democratize party leadership structures nationwide in accordance with electoral laws and the party constitution.
Ifoh warned against internal saboteurs, accusing unnamed actors of spreading chaos within the party. “We are not unmindful of the activities of fifth columnists planted to create unnecessary friction and destabilize unity. Some have repented, while others continue to play out the script of their paymasters,” he said.
Citing Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act, Ifoh further accused the opposing faction of circulating false reports suggesting a nationwide stoppage of the congresses. “Publishing fake news that a court has cancelled Labour Party congresses nationwide is a crime and can attract serious consequences,” he added.
The injunction obtained by the Otti faction on November 26 (Suit No. HIN/47/2025) restrained Abure “and his illegal National Working Committee” from conducting “purported and unlawful ward, local government, and state congresses” in Abia State. The Abure camp dismissed the claim, insisting the order applies only to Abia.
The dispute adds another chapter to the ongoing Labour Party leadership struggle, which intensified recently after the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Interim NWC submitted a fresh 34-member leadership list to INEC, claiming it supersedes earlier lists submitted by both factions.
