Labour Party Rift Deepens as Abure Faction Rejects Otti’s Reconciliation Effort

The Labour Party (LP) crisis escalated on Monday as the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) dismissed reconciliation efforts initiated by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, calling the move “dishonest and ill-timed.”

The Abure faction insisted that the party’s leadership dispute remains unresolved and highlighted that ongoing legal proceedings have yet to run their course. The faction also accused Governor Otti of contributing significantly to the party’s current turmoil.

National Publicity Secretary Mr. Obiora Ifoh rejected Otti’s proposal, questioning its sincerity and timing.

“We are not interested in any reconciliation move being proposed by Governor Alex Otti because he is largely responsible for the crisis facing the party today,” Ifoh said, adding that the court ruling cited by the opposing faction is from a lower court.

He described Otti’s intervention as premature, urging patience until appeals are concluded. “Why is he suddenly in a rush? Their celebration is a pyrrhic victory. The battle is far from over, and Nigerians will soon see the authentic leadership of the Labour Party,” he added.

The Abure faction’s stance underscores deep divisions within the party, despite recent court rulings and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee.

Governor Otti made his reconciliation appeal in Abuja during a meeting with the party’s Board of Trustees, caretaker committee leaders, and representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). He described the departure of former presidential candidate Peter Obi as a significant setback for the party and called for unity.

“We have agreed that a reconciliation committee is needed. The interim National Working Committee will advise on the appropriate time to set it up. The goal is to reconcile all members willing to return,” Otti said, urging the Abure faction to reconsider.

Otti also addressed upcoming elections and coalition plans, stating that the Labour Party will not participate in the Federal Capital Territory council elections and has no plans to join a broader opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Labour Party is already a coalition of Nigerian workers and progressive-minded citizens. We have no intention of joining any other coalition,” he said.

He commended INEC for implementing the Federal High Court judgment, which replaced the Abure-led executive committee with the Usman-led caretaker committee on the commission’s official portal.