Abuja, Nigeria – The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has escalated, as the faction led by embattled National Chairman Julius Abure has declared that Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, stand to lose the most amid the ongoing leadership tussle.
In a fiery statement released on Saturday, August 16, Obiora Ifoh, the factional National Publicity Secretary, responded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recent withdrawal of recognition from the Abure-led executive—following a ruling by the Federal High Court on August 15, 2025.
Abure Camp Slams Nenadi Usman, Calls Celebration “Infantile”
The Abure faction criticized Interim National Chairperson Nenadi Usman and her loyalists for what it described as premature celebration, accusing them of undermining the party from within.
“Are they celebrating because they want the Labour Party to die?” Ifoh questioned.
“Who truly benefits from this crisis? Isn’t it Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti who are ultimately on the losing end?”
He argued that both Obi and Otti, who rose to prominence on the LP platform, are now being sidelined by the very faction celebrating the INEC decision.
“This is the same party that gave them political lifelines when they were abandoned by other platforms. The party gave them hope. Their silence now is both disappointing and telling.”
Accusations of Manipulation and Internal Sabotage
Ifoh further accused the Nenadi Usman camp of “playing into the hands of the opposition” and recycling outdated court documents in an effort to sway public perception.
“It is therefore infantile for Nenadi to be circulating the same counter-affidavit as though it were a new legal victory. Their celebration, to us, amounts to nothing.”
He emphasized that despite the INEC setback, the Abure-led faction remains committed to defending the soul of the party and warned that any attempt to dismantle the LP from within would be resisted.
Background: INEC’s Latest Move
INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition from the Julius Abure-led LP leadership came in response to the recent court ruling, which questioned the legitimacy of his continued chairmanship. This move has further deepened divisions within the party, just as it faces high-stakes by-elections and prepares for future political battles.
What This Means for the Labour Party
With the LP’s internal rift widening, political analysts warn that the crisis could affect the party’s national outlook and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. Both Peter Obi and Alex Otti have yet to issue statements regarding the recent developments.
