The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, LP, has voiced concerns over the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, accusing it of targeting them for retaliation due to their strong support for the party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, during the 2023 general elections. The faction believes that this retribution is directly linked to their involvement in the electoral process.
In a statement delivered by the factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, during a press briefing at the Labour Party's National Secretariat in Abuja, Abure emphasized that INEC’s recent actions have been unfairly directed at the party’s leadership. He highlighted that both Peter Obi and Alex Otti have been accused of aligning with INEC despite the commission's alleged failings in safeguarding the democratic will of Nigerians during the elections.
Obiora Ifoh remarked, “The Labour Party finds it necessary to bring to the public’s attention the troubling developments within the party. Particularly, we are seeing efforts by some of the party’s leaders, including the former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to seize control of the party's leadership through covert means, using INEC as their tool.”
Ifoh continued by addressing media reports regarding INEC’s counter-affidavit, which implied that the tenure of the current Labour Party executives had expired, a claim that was purportedly used to justify a stakeholders meeting held in Umuahia, where a caretaker committee was controversially formed. According to Ifoh, this meeting was an undemocratic attempt by certain party leaders to consolidate power.
He further stated, “You will recall that Peter Obi and Alex Otti, just a few weeks ago, convened an illegal stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, where they appointed a 29-member caretaker committee made up of their associates to lead their faction of the Labour Party. This act of sidelining the democratically-elected party leaders is unacceptable.”
Ifoh also revealed that a letter was sent to INEC on September 6, 2024, informing the commission about an alleged leadership crisis within the party. The claim was reportedly based on INEC’s assertion that the current National Working Committee’s mandate had expired in June 2024 and that the commission did not recognize the National Convention held in March 2024, which re-elected Abure as the Labour Party’s chairman.
According to Ifoh, the Labour Party has already filed a lawsuit against INEC, challenging its exclusion from the commission’s preparatory training for uploading party agents ahead of the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
However, INEC, in its counter-affidavit responding to the suit, argued that the Labour Party’s leadership, including Julius Abure, had lost its legitimacy due to the expiration of their tenure. The commission further stated that it does not recognize the results of the March 2024 National Convention that reaffirmed Abure’s position as chairman.
Abure expressed disappointment with the actions of the party’s senior members, particularly Peter Obi and Alex Otti, whom he believes should be defending the party during these challenging times instead of engaging in divisive politics. “The leadership of the Labour Party is deeply troubled by the actions of our leaders, including our former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the only Labour Party governor, Dr. Alex Otti,” Ifoh said. “These leaders should be standing with the party at this critical moment.”
Ifoh concluded by asserting that the Labour Party’s current struggles are a direct result of the party’s unwavering support for Peter Obi and Alex Otti during the 2023 general elections. He called on the party’s leaders to unite and defend the party's integrity, emphasizing that Labour Party’s challenges stem from its defense of democratic principles and the leadership of both Peter Obi and Alex Otti during the elections.