2 months ago
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By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Labour Party (LP), led by Julius Abure, has accused Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti of attempting to seize control of the party’s leadership through covert means.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Obiora Ifoh, the National Secretary of the party, claimed that Obi and Otti were seeking to take over the party’s leadership by circumventing established processes.
Obi, who was the LP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, and Otti, who won the Abia governorship race on the party’s platform, are at the centre of this latest controversy. This accusation adds to the ongoing internal strife within the LP.
The party’s leadership crisis recently intensified following a stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, where Sen. Nenadi Usman was supported as the interim leader.
This came after a lengthy legal dispute between the Abure faction and the Lamidi Apapa-led group.
Ifoh criticised the actions of Obi and Otti, recalling how they sought LP’s support after being denied tickets from their former parties.
He emphasised the party’s dedication and sacrifices, including enduring harassment and legal challenges while campaigning for their candidates.
He further alleged that Obi and Otti were attempting to undermine the current leadership through indirect means, using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a potential tool for their maneuvering.
“The Labour Party stood firm with our candidates in Abia and elsewhere, despite immense pressure and challenges,” Ifoh said.
“It is disheartening to see some leaders attempt to leverage INEC’s position to seize control of the party.”
Ifoh clarified that while the party does not insist on the perpetual tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC), any change in leadership must come through another valid national convention.
He pointed out that the Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice J.K. Omotosho, had affirmed the legitimacy of the national convention held in Nnewi on March 26, 2024.
“The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that disputes regarding party delegates and conventions fall outside the jurisdiction of the courts, reinforcing that even INEC cannot deregister the Labour Party as some leaders are suggesting,” Ifoh said.
