Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has urged members of the Labour Party (LP) to set aside their differences and unite for the success of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held Friday in Abuja, Otti emphasized the need for reconciliation and collective action, stating that “everything must be done” to ensure the Labour Party works. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.
The NEC session was convened under the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, following the recent Supreme Court judgment which affirmed her as the party’s National Chairman. Otti, currently LP’s only serving governor, noted that the meeting marked a significant step in restoring structure and order within the party.
“As law-abiding people, we felt compelled to respect the judgment of the Supreme Court,” Otti said. “We’re here to begin the process of rebuilding the party by formalising key organs such as the interim National Working Committee, which will steer the party until a convention is held to elect a new leadership.”
He urged the faction led by Julius Abure to respect the court’s ruling and embrace unity. Otti also commended the NLC for founding the party, while acknowledging that the LP had grown beyond its origins and now needed broader cooperation and humility among its ranks.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the ordinary people, urging members not to be discouraged by internal strife. “The Labour Party belongs to the masses,” Ajaero said. “Anyone who does not stand with the labour movement but claims the party’s leadership is simply daydreaming. When the time of reckoning comes, we will disown them.”
The Labour Party has been embroiled in a protracted leadership crisis between the Abure-led group and the caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman — a committee reportedly backed by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Governor Otti.
In April, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to declare Julius Abure as National Chairman, pointing out that the matter was an internal party affair. The court further stated that Abure’s tenure had expired and dismissed the cross-appeal filed by his faction.
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