Labour Party is Not a Ponzi Scheme, and Only Caucus Members Can Remove Their Leader – LP Reps to Abure

The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives has strongly rebuffed an attempt by the embattled former national chairman of the party, Julius Abure, to appoint a new leader for the caucus, declaring that the LP is not a Ponzi scheme.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the caucus, led by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, described Abure’s action as “laughable, naive, and misleading.” This came after Abure, in response to the caucus’ earlier support for the Supreme Court ruling that nullified his position as chairman and endorsed the party’s caretaker leadership under Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, announced Ogene’s removal as caucus leader.

According to the lawmakers, the position of a caucus leader is not subject to appointment by external figures but is determined by the collective decision of caucus members. The group recalled that on May 6, 2023, the 35-member LP caucus in the 10th Assembly elected Ogene as their leader with 21 votes, following a competitive internal process. Thirty-one members participated in the vote, while three others who facilitated the election abstained.

The caucus emphasized that only its members have the authority to remove their leader, dismissing Abure’s announcement as a move by “an authoritarian, power-thirsty individual” struggling with unresolved allegations of financial misconduct.

Reacting to speculation that Abure’s declaration was retaliation for the caucus’ support of the Supreme Court decision, the lawmakers reaffirmed their position. They noted that the majority of LP representatives stood behind the ruling, a fact they said would be evident by the turnout at Wednesday’s NEC/Stakeholders meeting convened by the party’s national leader, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

In a scathing rebuke, the caucus accused Abure of running the party like a personal enterprise, plagued by “forgery, money, and more money.” They cited alleged financial scandals involving him in states like Ebonyi, Plateau, Ondo, and Edo, and pointed to recent controversies in Anambra as further evidence of compromised leadership.

They challenged Abure to publicly explain his feuds with party figures such as Eze Oko Splendour in Ebonyi, Kenneth Imasuagbon in Edo, and gubernatorial aspirants in Anambra, labeling the primary in that state a “farce.”

The caucus also raised concerns over Abure’s reported interest in funds belonging to the House of Representatives LP caucus, accusing him of seeking free access to finances while failing to account for funds raised during the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle contests.

The lawmakers stated that no credible structure within the party would entrust Abure with any financial responsibility, given ongoing allegations of forgery and fund misappropriation leveled against him by the party’s former national treasurer, Oluchi Oparah.

They assured party members and the public that the caucus’ funds remain intact and will be used solely at the discretion of its members. The statement concluded with a call for a decisive break from what they termed an “integrity-deficient” past and a push toward a more transparent and credible future for the Labour Party.