The Battle for Labour Party’s Soul Escalates
Abuja, Nigeria – April 8, 2025 | IDNN Reports
Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) is at a tipping point, as its internal crisis erupts into open warfare. In a rare show of political brinkmanship, the two power blocs within the party—led by National Chairman Julius Abure and 2023 presidential flag bearer Peter Obi alongside Abia State Governor Alex Otti—have convened rival National Executive Council (NEC) meetings, both claiming legitimacy and vowing to determine the future of the party post-Supreme Court ruling.
Dueling NECs: Symbol of Deepening Division
- Abure-led faction held its NEC meeting on Monday, April 8 at the party secretariat in Abuja.
- Obi-Otti alliance has summoned their own NEC and stakeholder town hall for Wednesday, April 9, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Each group has dismissed the other’s authority, raising the stakes in what may become the Labour Party’s defining leadership crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abure’s Counteroffensive: Sanctions and Sacks
In a communique issued after Monday’s meeting, the Abure-led NEC:
- Threatened to discipline Governor Alex Otti for allegedly calling an “illegal” stakeholders’ NEC.
- Cautioned Peter Obi against actions or statements that may “undermine the party’s unity.”
- Sacked Victor Afam Ogene as House of Reps caucus leader, replacing him with Barr. Ben Eternabene.
- Affirmed Abure’s leadership, citing the March 27, 2024, Nnewi Convention as valid.
- Declared the so-called Caretaker Committee led by Obi and Otti “illegal.”
“NEC will not hesitate to discipline any member, no matter how highly placed,” said National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk.
Obi, Otti’s Town Hall: Power Move or Parallel Structure?
In a direct challenge to Abure’s authority, Obi and Otti’s camp is organizing a wide-reaching stakeholder meeting on Wednesday. Their invitees include:
- LP’s vice presidential candidate,
- Former and serving legislators,
- All 2023 LP candidates,
- Representatives of the NLC/TUC Political Commission, and
- The controversial National Caretaker Committee formed in Umuahia on September 4, 2024.
The event appears designed to form a new power bloc within the LP or possibly set the stage for an alternative leadership structure.
🔍 What’s at Stake: 2027 and the Future of the Third Force
While Abure insists the Supreme Court ruling affirms his position, Obi and Otti’s actions suggest a larger political strategy is at play—realignment or takeover.
With Governor Otti accused of preparing to defect before 2027 and Peter Obi under increasing pressure to lead a truly unified third force, Labour Party’s ideological soul is now up for grabs.
🎯 IDNN Quick Analysis
Power Bloc
Core Figures
Claims
Allegations
Abure-led NWC
Julius Abure, Umar Farouk
Supreme Court didn’t sack NWC; March 2024 Convention is valid
Obi & Otti are plotting to factionalize, hold illegal NEC
Obi-Otti Alliance
Peter Obi, Alex Otti
Caretaker committee is necessary to rescue LP from poor leadership
Abure clings to power, defies democratic reform
Voices from the Divide
“There is no vacuum in LP leadership. I remain the National Chairman.”
— Julius Abure
“This meeting is in furtherance of the Supreme Court ruling terminating the Abure-led NWC.”
— Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR)
What’s Next?
- All eyes are on Wednesday, April 9, as the Obi-Otti camp meets in Abuja.
- Will the Labour Party fracture irreparably, or is this the storm before a potential unification?
- As disciplinary threats fly, will Obi and Otti back down—or break away entirely?
