From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party has indefinitely suspended Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha, and Representatives Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi for alleged anti-party activities.
The decision, announced Wednesday by factional National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, followed a report from a five-man Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, set up on May 2, 2025.
Ibrahim stated, “The National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.” The suspended members are barred from acting on behalf of the party, with notifications sent to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, National Assembly, INEC, and security agencies.
Addressing the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, established by Otti and Peter Obi in September 2024, Ibrahim claimed Usman is not a Labour Party member but part of the Obidient Support Group. He accused her of disloyalty, citing her alleged pledge to another party alongside a former Kaduna governor, and challenged her to clarify her EFCC plea bargain and property acquisitions. “Nigerians are already aware of all the EFCC cases against her… She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad,” he said.
Ibrahim defended the party’s financial transparency, noting that INEC’s external auditors gave a clean report, ranking Labour Party’s financial records among Nigeria’s best. He rejected coalition or merger talks, stating, “Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as stand alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”
The suspensions deepen the party’s leadership crisis, with factions led by Abure, Usman, and Lamidi Apapa vying for control, despite a Supreme Court ruling on April 4, affirming party autonomy in leadership disputes.