Labour Party Crisis Deepens as Nenadi Usman Summons Julius Abure Over Corruption Allegations

The Labour Party (LP) is embroiled in fresh controversy as its caretaker committee, led by former finance minister Nenadi Usman, has summoned Julius Abure over allegations of corruption, misappropriation of party funds, and anti-party activities. Usman, addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, accused Abure of persistently parading himself as the party’s national chairman despite being removed from office. She alleged that he has been running the party like a private business, pursuing selfish ambitions and enriching himself at the expense of party unity.

To address the allegations, Usman announced the formation of a disciplinary panel chaired by Senator Ireti Kingibe, with Peter Ameh serving as secretary. The panel has been mandated to investigate Abure and is expected to conclude its work within 21 days, after which it will recommend appropriate sanctions. Abure has been officially summoned to appear before the panel and respond to multiple petitions and charges.

Usman further accused Abure of undermining the party’s internal democracy by refusing to conduct congresses at the ward, local government, state, and zonal levels in preparation for the national convention. She stated that the caretaker committee is committed to restoring democratic processes within the party and will soon release a timetable for congresses and internal elections.

Warning Abure to cease presenting himself as the party’s leader within 48 hours, Usman said the committee’s actions are backed by the party’s national executive council (NEC). This development follows the decision by the Abure-led national working committee to set up its own disciplinary panel targeting Abia State Governor Alex Otti over alleged anti-party conduct. The ongoing factional crisis within the Labour Party has intensified, with both camps citing an April 4 Supreme Court ruling to justify their respective claims to party leadership. While Abure’s faction interprets the judgment as validation of his position, the caretaker committee argues that it marks the end of his tenure.