The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has dismissed the purported removal of Hon. Afam Victor Ogene as its leader by the party’s embattled former national chairman, Julius Abure, describing it as laughable and misleading.
In a statement on Tuesday, the caucus reiterated that leadership positions within the caucus are not appointed but determined by an internal democratic process. It noted that Ogene was duly elected on May 6, 2023, by members of the 10th Assembly LP caucus through a transparent vote, securing 21 of the 31 valid votes cast.
Part of the statement reads, “This is yet another authoritarian tactic from someone still battling to clear his name from multiple allegations of financial misconduct”.
Ogene, who is a ranking member of the 7th Assembly, said Abure lacks the authority to appoint or remove a caucus leader, stressing that such powers reside solely with caucus members.
The caucus accused Abure of launching a desperate move following the Supreme Court’s ruling that effectively ended his tenure as party chairman.
The statement also alleged that Abure’s obsession with accessing caucus funds underscores his desperation. “It’s ironic that someone who hasn’t accounted for party funds from the 2023 elections is now interested in funds belonging to the caucus,” the lawmakers stated.
The LP faction warned that no organ of the party would entrust Abure with money while he remains dogged by unresolved allegations of forgery and misappropriation, including those raised by former national treasurer Oluchi Oparah.
The lawmakers pledged loyalty to the caretaker leadership led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and said the majority of them would attend the NEC/stakeholders meeting convened by Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti on April 9.
