The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has cautioned the public against what it described as illegal activities allegedly being carried out by some suspended members of the party, including the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Dr Ikechukwu Emetu.
The faction issued the warning in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
According to the statement, the suspended members are accused of soliciting fresh membership registration and calling for an unauthorised national convention, actions the party said run contrary to its constitution and established processes.
Those named include Dr Emetu, Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha.
Ifoh said the party would use all lawful means to challenge any individual or group undermining its rules and internal structures.
He stressed that the Labour Party had already held a valid national convention in March 2024, where the Abure-led National Working Committee was elected, adding that online and physical membership registration had been launched nationwide months ago with what he described as impressive participation.
“Our attention has been drawn to a viral video showing Dr Ikechukwu Emetu, Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha involved in the illegal unveiling of a so-called National Steering Committee for membership registration,” the statement said.
The party also noted that it recently conducted INEC-monitored congresses across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Abia State excluded only due to a subsisting court order.
According to Ifoh, INEC has since monitored Labour Party activities that enabled its participation in the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states.
He recalled that the Abia deputy governor and other party leaders had attended the party’s Nnewi convention in March 2024, where the current leadership emerged.
The Abure faction also dismissed a timetable released by another faction loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, which announced plans for a fresh national convention in February 2026 and a new nationwide membership mobilisation drive.
“We do not know which Labour Party these people are working for, or under what authority they are repeating exercises that were concluded months ago,” Ifoh said, questioning the legitimacy of the rival faction’s activities.
He further alleged that a powerful politician from the South-East was plotting to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning Nigerians against allowing the Labour Party to be turned into a personal enterprise.
“Labour Party has moved on. We have held our convention and completed our congresses nationwide. Our focus now is on making greater impact in 2027,” he said.
