The Abure-led Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday accused Mr Peter Obi and Dr Alex Otti of attempting to seize control of the party leadership through backdoor methods.
Mr Obiora Ifoh, National Secretary of the party, made this accusation in a statement issued in Abuja.
Obi was the Labour Party’s flag bearer in the 2023 presidential election, where the party achieved a strong finish, while Otti won the Abia governorship election using the party’s platform.
The outburst by the party’s leadership adds to the ongoing crisis within the LP. Recently, a stakeholders meeting in Umuahia supported Sen. Nenadi Usman as the interim leader of the party, following a protracted legal battle between the Abure camp and the Lamidi Apapa-led faction.
Ifoh highlighted that many Nigerians remember how the Labour Party made significant sacrifices to accommodate these leaders when they were denied tickets in their previous parties. He noted that some of these leaders, now seeking to undermine Julius Abure, were once begging for tickets and support.
The Labour Party leadership, according to Ifoh, faced significant challenges, including harassment and malignment, due to their unwavering commitment to their presidential candidate. He emphasized that the current leadership endured political and judicial pressures to secure victory.
Ifoh accused Obi and Otti, among others, of attempting to take over the party leadership through covert means, using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a means to this end.
He noted that the same LP leadership had supported the Abia governorship candidate despite immense pressure and difficulties. He expressed concern that these leaders are trying to exploit perceived legal loopholes to usurp party control.
Ifoh clarified that while the Abure-led executive may not remain indefinitely, the current National Working Committee (NWC) is a legitimate product of a valid convention. He stated that a new executive could only be elected through another national convention, scheduled for 2028.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice J.K. Omotosho, had declared the national convention held in Nnewi on March 26, 2024, as valid. This convention complied with the 2022 Electoral Act and the Labour Party Constitution.
Furthermore, Ifoh referenced Supreme Court rulings which stated that issues related to delegates at a National Convention are internal matters of the party, beyond the jurisdiction of any court. He concluded that even INEC cannot de-register the Labour Party as some leaders might be suggesting.