Court Deals Blow to LP’s Abure Faction in Abia

An Abia State High Court sitting in the Ukwa Judicial Division has delivered a significant ruling in the ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party (LP), affirming Emmanuel Otti as the legitimate Chairman of the party in Abia State.

The court, in its judgment, restrained Prince G.O. Ndubueze from parading himself as the state chairman or interfering in the activities of the Labour Party under the leadership of Emmanuel Otti.

The court also declared that the suspension of Otti by the Julius Abure-led faction of the party was unlawful, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect. It noted that the 2024 version of the LP constitution—used by the Abure-led group to justify Otti’s suspension—has not been ratified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law, and therefore lacks legal standing.

This ruling comes amid deepening internal divisions in the party. Prior to the judgment, two factions claimed leadership of the Abia State LP. Emmanuel Otti was aligned with Governor Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi, while Prince G.O. Ndubueze pledged loyalty to the Abure-led national leadership.

With the court’s verdict, the Otti-led faction has secured legal backing in Abia, dealing a blow to the influence of the Abure faction in the state.