The Julius Abure led faction of the Labour Party has ruled out any form of coalition in the build up to the 2027 general election saying it would rather seek to resolve its internal dispute and reconcile all members
This is part of the outcome of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the faction held in Abuja on Monday, 21st July 2025, at the National Secretariat of the party at Utako, Abuja.
A faction of the party had indicated interest to join the ADC coalition after the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, attended the inaugural meeting of the coalition group.
The NEC meeting was called to deliberate on key issues affecting the party’s structure, unity, performance, and strategic direction moving forward. Surprisingly, the party’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election and some other allies of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the party in 2023 were in attendance at the meeting seemingly confirming that they support they Abure-led faction of the party.
There NEC meeting comes just days after another faction of the party known as Caretaker Committee and led by Nenadi Usman, a one time Finance Minister, held its own NEC meeting also in Abuja.
The Labour Party has since been split into two factions following internal crisis after the 2023 general elections. While one faction is led by Abure and says it is the authentic leadership of the party, another faction is led by Usman, which continues to argue that the Abure-led leadership has since elapsed.
Below are the key decisions of the NEC meeting held by the Abure-led faction of the party.
After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
1. The NEC in session after reviewing the purported NEC meeting held in Transcorp on Friday, the 18th of July 2025, condemned the conveners of the meetings and thereafter disassociate itself from the outcome of the so-called NEC meeting where they renamed their illegal Caretaker Committee set up in Umuahia last year as Interim National Working Committee.
2. NEC notes that no matter how illegality is decorated it can not be legal. Renaming the Caretaker Committee, Interim NWC does not remove its illegality.
3. This sitting contravenes the Party’s Constitution. Article 14 (4) (B) gives powers to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of National Chairman. The meeting also contravenes the provisions of Section 82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides as follows:
82 (1) Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any Convention, Congress, Conference or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘’merger’’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies, or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this Act. Such notice must be given by the National Chairman and Secretary of the Party.
(2) The Commission may, with or without prior notice to the political party attend and observe any convention, congress, conference or meeting which is convened by a political party for the purpose of (a) electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies
4. NEC in session consequently disassociating itself from the meeting and its outcomes.
5. NEC in session notes that there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Party. The Party has conducted its National Convention in line with the party Constitution, the Electoral Act and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 27th March, 2024 at Nnewi Anambra State which has been validated by the Supreme Court in its Judgment of the 4th April 2025.
Consequently, NEC in session therefore calls on the Honourable Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu to comply with the Supreme Court Judgment, all the legal and other opinions before him.
On the basis of the foregoing, therefore, NEC in session hereby call on all teeming members, supporters, and members of the general public to kindly disregard the so-called meeting and its outcome.
6. NEC in session hereby reimpose confidence in the leadership of Barr. Julius Abure led National Working Committee and urge all Party members to continue to respect the leadership of the party and obey its lawful directives.
7. NEC in session also approved the conduct of State, Local Government, and Ward Congress as may be scheduled by the National Working Committee in line with the party’s Constitution and other Extant laws.
8. NEC in session reiterates that Labour Party will not be part of any coalition for the 2027 general election. NEC believes that the coalition of 2023 is bigger than any other coalition. we will therefore rebuild, reconcile, and consolidate the gains of the 2023 general election. Labour Party is distinct in terms of its ideology, programs, philosophy, and manifestos, which has the answers to the socio-economic challenges in Nigeria. We can therefore not be tempted by joining any politically spent forces that have hitherto, squandered the resources and opportunity of the Nation.
9. NEC in session commends Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed for identifying with the leadership and declaring his interest for the 2027 general election.
Barrister Julius Abure, National Chairman
Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, National Secretary
