The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) escalated on Monday after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) rejected reconciliation efforts initiated by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, describing the move as insincere and premature.
The Abure faction insisted that the leadership dispute within the party remains unresolved, noting that the legal process is still ongoing and has not been exhausted. It further accused Governor Otti of playing a major role in igniting the crisis currently plaguing the party.
Speaking on the matter, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed Otti’s reconciliation proposal, questioning its timing and motive.
“We are not interested in any reconciliation move being proposed by Governor Alex Otti because he is largely responsible for the crisis facing the party today,” Ifoh said.
He argued that the call for reconciliation was premature, stressing that the court ruling being celebrated by the opposing faction was delivered by a court of first instance and is already under appeal.
“What we witnessed was a decision of a lower court. Why can’t he wait for the outcome of the appeal before talking about reconciliation?” he asked.
Ifoh accused Otti of acting hastily and expressed confidence that the Abure-led leadership would ultimately prevail.
“Why is he suddenly in a rush? As far as we are concerned, their celebration is a pyrrhic victory. It will soon fade, and Nigerians will see the authentic leadership of the Labour Party. The battle is far from over,” he stated.
The rejection underscores the deepening divisions within the party despite recent court rulings and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee.
The Abure camp’s reaction came just hours after Governor Otti expressed concern over the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing his departure as a major setback for the Labour Party.
Otti made the remarks in Abuja during a meeting attended by members of the party’s Board of Trustees, leaders of the National Caretaker Committee, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The meeting followed INEC’s recognition of the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, a move earlier criticised by the Abure faction as rushed and prejudicial.
Addressing stakeholders, Otti said the new leadership was committed to healing internal rifts and restoring unity following its court victory.
“We have agreed that there is a need to establish a reconciliation committee. The interim National Working Committee will advise on the appropriate time to set it up. The goal is to reconcile all members who are willing to return,” he said.
He also appealed directly to the Abure-led faction to reconsider its stance.
“We call on Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and return to the party. As long as they are willing to abide by the party’s rules, we will gladly welcome them back,” Otti added.
The Abia governor further disclosed that the Labour Party would not participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections and ruled out joining any opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Labour Party is already a coalition — a coalition of Nigerian workers and progressive-minded citizens. We have no intention of joining any other coalition,” he said.
Otti also commended INEC for complying with the Federal High Court judgment by replacing the Abure-led executive committee with the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee on its official portal.
