Warring factions in the opposition Labour Party (LP) have returned to the trenches following another round of crisis that has rocked the party with the suspension of prominent politicians.
The faction of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure has announced the suspension of six prominent and elected members, including the party’s only elected governor, Alex Otti of Abia State and two senators.
The trio of Abure, Nenadi Usman and Lamidi Apapa all claim leadership of the party and are relying on the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement.
The infighting has led to a series of defections from the Labour Party lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Wednesday, the Abure announced the suspensions in a statement issued by the faction’s national secretary, Umar Farouk, in Abuja.
He recalled that on Friday, 2nd May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party established a five-member disciplinary committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman Ayo Olorunfemi, national secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, and three others, to investigate Abia State Governor Alex Otti and any other party members regarding allegations of anti-party activities.
It stated that the disciplinary committee had completed its assignment and submitted its report to the party leadership. Afterwards, the party’s national executive had an extensive deliberation on Wednesday to ratify the committee’s recommendations.
Consequently, the Abure camp announced the indefinite and immediate suspension of the following members from the party and all its activities: Dr Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
“By this suspension, these former party members will no longer act on behalf of the party. All relevant institutions, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, INEC, and security agencies, are to take note,” it said.
The party also clarified that Nenadi Usman was not included in the suspension list as she is not a registered member of the Labour Party but merely a supporter of its 2023 presidential candidate.
“We acknowledge that she is a member of the Obidient Support Group that campaigned and continues to campaign for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not impose any sanctions on her, as she is not a party member,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its stance on political independence, the Labour Party declared that it would not enter into any coalition or merger before the 2027 general elections.
“Finally, the party has established its position regarding coalitions, and we wish to reiterate that we are not interested in any overtures from any group or individuals to form a coalition or merger,” the statement concluded.
“As stated previously, the proponents of such coalitions, those driving the agenda, lack the capacity, character, and competence to manage such a political arrangement. “These individuals have failed to manage a single political party effectively; how can they oversee an amalgamation of political parties with their diverse interests?
“The Labour Party intends to contest the 2027 general election as an independent entity, and no further discussions will be entertained.”
Nenadi summons Abure over alleged corruption, anti-party activities
Meanwhile, another factional chair of the Labour Party (LP), Nenadi Usman, has initiated an investigation into Julius Abure concerning allegations of corruption, misappropriation of party funds, and anti-party activities.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Usman accused Abure of “persistently presenting himself as the party’s national chairman despite being removed.”
Nenadi, who leads the LP caretaker committee, stated that Abure ran the party “like a personal enterprise to pursue selfish ambitions”.
She alleged that he had exploited his position for personal enrichment rather than fostering unity within the party.
“To address these serious allegations, we have established a disciplinary panel chaired by Senator Ireti Kingibe, with Peter Ameh serving as secretary,” she announced.
Usman indicated that the panel would investigate Abure regarding the claims of corruption, misappropriation of party funds, and anti-party activities.
She further revealed that Abure had been summoned to appear before the committee to respond to the various petitions and charges brought against him.
The caretaker chairperson also accused Abure of hijacking the party’s structures by refusing to conduct congresses at the ward, local government, state, and zonal levels ahead of the national convention.
She asserted that the caretaker team would restore internal democracy within the party and would release a timetable for proper congresses and elections.
Usman, a former finance minister, warned Abure to cease presenting himself as the party leader within 48 hours or face disciplinary action.
She explained that the committee acted on the powers the party’s national executive council (NEC) granted.
“The disciplinary panel has 21 days to conclude its investigation and recommend appropriate sanctions,” she added.
This latest development comes just days after the Abure-led national working committee (NWC) established a disciplinary committee to investigate Abia Governor Alex Otti over alleged anti-party activities.
The party remains in turmoil, with both factions citing the April 4 Supreme Court judgment as justification for their claims to leadership of the LP.
While Abure’s camp argues that the judgement validated his position, the caretaker committee insists it confirms that his tenure had expired.