By Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has praised the Supreme Court for its ruling that removed the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party. He called it a victory for the people’s will over a small group’s control.
In a statement by his Media and Publicity Adviser, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti said the decision restores peace, unity, and order to the party. He noted the court confirmed that Abure’s NWC tenure had expired, justifying the creation of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee in Umuahia in 2024.
Otti welcomed the outcome. “I’m not just happy with the judgement, I also celebrate that the highest court in the land has vindicated our position that the tenure of the Abure-led National Working Committee had since expired,” he said.
“This sound judgement by the Supreme Court was the basis for our decision to set up the National Caretaker Committee led by Distinguished Senators Esther Nenadi Usman as Chairman and Darlington Nwokocha as secretary.”
He outlined the committee’s goals. “The vision behind the setting up of the committee was to foster peace and unity, while strengthening the party to consolidate on the gains made in the last election,” Otti added.
He promised to reform the party at all levels, building a strong, democratic platform for effective, people-focused leadership.
He saluted the judiciary. “The Supreme Court’s sound judgement didn’t just meet the popular expectations of genuine Labour Party members in particular, and Nigerians in general, but one that would contribute in deepening democracy and sustaining good governance,” he said.
Otti thanked supporters who stayed calm during the party’s internal struggle, including the NLC, TUC, stakeholders, and citizens nationwide. He urged ex-national officers to work with the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Caretaker Committee (NCC) to advance the party.
“I and other leaders of the party were committed to building an all-inclusive party devoid of discrimination and favouritism,” he assured.