Stop interfering with Labour Party affairs Abure tells Gov. Otti

On Tuesday, the crisis within the Labour Party escalated as the LP leadership admonished Governor Alex Otti of Abia State to concentrate on governance and stop interfering in the party’s administration.

Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the LP, issued this warning during a press conference in Abuja.

Abure expressed frustration that, in addition to facing criticism and attacks from external sources, the party now also had to deal with internal challenges from its own leaders, members, and stakeholders.

Abure’s frustration was triggered by Otti’s recent announcement that he intended to call a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on August 31 to dissolve the National Executive Council, State Executive Council, Local Government Executive Council, and Ward Executive Council, claiming their tenures had expired.

Abure rejected Otti’s claim, asserting that such decisions are beyond the governor’s authority.

In response, Abure announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has set up a disciplinary committee to address any members or leaders who make decisions that could undermine the party.

He stated, “Even if we assume, without conceding, that the tenure of the current NWC has expired, it is still not within Dr. Alex Otti’s role as governor to convene an NEC meeting to establish a caretaker committee. This is the responsibility of the national chairman and national secretary of the party.”

“Moreover, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should formally communicate any concerns regarding the party’s convention and tenure. We urge our colleagues to focus on governance and allow us to manage party matters.”

Abure added that the party leadership will not hesitate to discipline anyone who does not adhere to the party constitution and lawful directives. He emphasized that the Labour Party is not controlled by any single individual and is meant to serve the people broadly.

Abure noted that Otti’s claims were allegedly based on INEC’s position on the expired tenures, but there had been no prior conflict with INEC. He accused those speculating about the expiration of tenures of trying to destabilize the party and reaffirmed that ongoing court cases validate the party’s leadership status until judicial decisions dictate otherwise.