Victor EzejaJulius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has announced suspension of Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti; Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe and four prominent members of the party indefinitely.
This was contained in a statement signed by the factional National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, on Wednesday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOthers include Darlington Nwokocha, former Abia Central senator; Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, a member representing Ogbaru Federal constituency of Anambra State in House of Representatives; Hon. Amobi Ogah, a House of Representatives member representing Isuikwato/Umuneochi Federal Constituency; and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, a, House of Representatives member representing Ojo Federal Constituency of Lagos State.
The statement recalled that the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) had on Friday, 2 May 2025, set up a Five man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate the Abia Governor, Alex Otti, and some other party members over allegations of anti party activities.
Part of the statement reads: “The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee. Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect: Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
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“By this suspension, these former m embers of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note,” the statement further stated.
The Abure-led faction claimed that Senator Nenadi Usman is not a valid member of Labour Party, hence why it did not impose any sanction on her.’
Usman is the chairperson of the Caretaker Committee appointed during an extraordinary stakeholder meeting held in September 2024. The committee has the backing of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, his running mate, Dr Yusuf Baba-Ahmed Datti, and Alex Otti, among others. The committee has a task to organise the party’s national convention where substantive party leaders would be elected.
Abure had been claiming to be the authentic national chairman of the party. Even after the recent Supreme Court judgment which set aside rulings of the Court of Appeal and High Court in Abuja which had recognised Abure as the party’s national chairman, he is still claiming to be the valid leader of the party.
In the statement released on Wednesday, the Abure’s group alleged that Nenadi Usman is only a member of the Obidient Support group and is only working for Peter Obi. “We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party,” the statement added.
The faction challenged Usman to explain to Nigerians about her case with the EFCC.
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“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption.
It said the party’s financial records are credible and transparent and the account has been audited as sanctioned by INEC and published.
The group said the party is not interested in joining any coalition or merger.
“Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition; those driving the agenda lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement. These are people who have failed to manage one political party, how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests.
“Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as stand alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter,” the statement added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
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