IDNN POLITICAL WATCH – PETER OBI LABOUR PARTY CRISIS DEEPENS AS HE, OTTI DEFY SANCTION THREATS AHEAD OF SUMMIT
By IDNN Politics Desk | April 2025
OBI VS ABURE: LABOUR PARTY POWER STRUGGLE COMES TO A HEAD
The Peter Obi Labour Party crisis entered a dramatic new phase this week as the former presidential candidate and Abia State Governor Alex Otti proceeded with their planned stakeholders’ summit, ignoring threats of sanction by the Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC).
Just two days after NEC issued a warning that the duo would face disciplinary action if they held the event, both camps confirmed that preparations for the summit were proceeding unhindered.
IT’S A NOLLYWOOD SCRIPT” — NLC CHAIR BLASTS LEADERSHIP THREATS
Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission, and Umar Ibrahim, media aide to Peter Obi, both reaffirmed the summit’s continuation.
“Who is pushing this nonsense? If this were a Nollywood plot, you’d call the writer unhinged,” Ndubuaku said.
Ibrahim backed the statement:
“If there was any change, the media would’ve received an official update. There’s no such thing.”
Asked about the threat of disciplinary action, he added:
“We’re not interested in exchanging drama with the party or reacting to noise.”
OTTI SUBMITS SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT TO INEC
On April 9, Otti led a Labour Party delegation to INEC headquarters in Abuja. There, he presented a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment affirming their claim to party leadership.
“This visit clarifies the legal structure of LP’s leadership,” INEC noted on its X handle.
INEC Acting Chairman Sam Olumekun received the team alongside other commissioners and emphasized the commission’s commitment to neutrality, transparency, and rule of law.
This action signals that the Obi-Otti bloc is pursuing institutional validation while contesting internal opposition.
ABURE-LED NEC FLEXES PARTY AUTHORITY
In its bid to assert control, the NEC expelled Afam Ogene, LP’s House caucus leader, for alleged anti-party conduct. The committee also reiterated its threat to sanction Obi and Otti should they defy the directive.
National Secretary Umar Farouk delivered the statement following a closed-door NEC meeting in Abuja.
PARALLEL NEC MEETINGS HIGHLIGHT PARTY POWER STRUGGLE
Following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, both sides summoned separate NEC meetings. Abure’s camp met on Monday at LP’s headquarters, while Obi and Otti’s summit was scheduled for Wednesday at a different venue.
The overlapping meetings underline the widening split between the traditional party structure and the Obidient movement that gained momentum during the 2023 election.
“WE’RE WATCHING” — LP OFFICIALS STAND FIRM
Asked about the summit’s defiance, LP spokesperson Obiora Ifoh insisted:
“NEC is the highest authority. We’ve made our position known. We’ll act at the appropriate time.”
Observers note that the Peter Obi Labour Party crisis exposes deep-rooted ideological clashes and looming legal battles over control of the party.
