The Labour Party (LP) has plunged deeper into crisis as its National Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, announced the suspension of former National Chairman Julius Abure and former National Secretary Farouk Umar for six months over allegations of financial misconduct and anti-party activities.
The suspension, ratified by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), followed the report of a disciplinary panel headed by Senator Ireti Kingibe and Peter Ameh. According to the committee’s findings, both Abure and Umar were allegedly involved in unauthorized withdrawals and transfers of party funds, casting doubt on their financial integrity during their time in office.
A statement jointly signed by Senator Usman and the committee’s secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, stated that Abure was no longer allowed to present himself as the LP’s national chairman. Umar, accused of co-signing questionable bank transactions with Abure, was also barred from acting in any official capacity for the next six months, pending further investigation.
“All members of Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) have been directed to stop parading themselves as party executives,” the statement added.
The situation has caused a stir within the party and drawn sharp criticism from key members. Three Labour Party lawmakers in the House of Representatives — Afam Ogene, Seyi Sowunmi, and Amobi Ogah — denounced Abure’s attempt to suspend Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and other party leaders. They described it as “a desperate act of a dethroned emperor trying to stay relevant.”
In a joint statement titled “Our Former National Chairman Goes Mad Again,” the lawmakers accused Abure of sabotaging the party and attempting to please unnamed external sponsors. “He is acting like a clown in search of a crown,” they said. “He is no longer our national chairman as ruled by the Supreme Court.”
Governor Otti also responded strongly, calling Abure’s announcement of his suspension “a joke taken too far” and “an affront to democracy.” Through his media adviser, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti urged the Inspector General of Police to arrest Abure for impersonation and demanded that INEC enforce the Supreme Court judgment that removed Abure from office.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distanced itself from the ongoing leadership tussle in the Labour Party. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the commission clarified that its website listings were based on old court rulings and not on any recent recognition of a particular faction.
“INEC has not restored or recognised any individual as the National Chairman or Secretary of the Labour Party or PDP as some reports falsely claim,” the statement read.
