Nenadi Usman Dares Abure to Expose Obi, Otti in Escalating Labour Party Crisis

Nenadi Usman, chairperson of the caretaker committee of the Labour Party (LP), has challenged factional national chairman Julius Abure to follow through on his threat to expose prominent figures in the party, including Peter Obi and Alex Otti. Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Usman dismissed Abure’s comments as bluster and urged him to present any evidence he claims to possess.

Abure had earlier warned that he would reveal damaging information about top LP leaders if they continued to challenge him, saying he would make them “like smelly eggs, rotten eggs that nobody will ever buy.” In response, Usman said, “I am challenging him to expose us. If you have anybody to expose, don’t just talk—go ahead and expose them.” She also alleged that Abure is under police investigation over some of his actions within the party.

Describing the ongoing crisis as an assault on internal democracy, Usman emphasized the importance of a strong opposition. She accused Abure of trying to remain in office beyond his tenure by using the courts rather than submitting to the electoral process within the party. “Every democracy needs a vibrant opposition. When the opposition tries to become part of the ruling party, there’s a problem,” she said.

Usman explained that the Labour Party’s leadership crisis began when Abure’s tenure ended, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to recognize him as chairman. Although Abure initially secured a favorable court ruling that forced INEC to list him as chairman “by court order,” the Supreme Court later ruled that the lower courts had no jurisdiction on the matter. Justice Inyang Okoro, who delivered the Supreme Court’s verdict, cautioned political leaders against overstaying their tenure.

Following the ruling, INEC directed the party to conduct fresh congresses. According to Usman, the national executive committee of the LP responded by setting up a caretaker committee to oversee the election of new leaders. She insisted that Abure could contest again if he wishes to remain chairman, but criticized him and his allies for allegedly attempting to hold on to power without a democratic mandate. “They just want to be using the courts to remain as leaders. I think that’s not good for opposition,” she said.

The Labour Party remains deeply divided, with Usman’s caretaker committee enjoying the support of Peter Obi, Alex Otti, and Senator Ireti Kingibe. Tensions escalated earlier in May when the Abure-led faction suspended Otti and Kingibe over alleged anti-party activities. In retaliation, the Usman-led group suspended Abure and accused him of illegally continuing to parade himself as national chairman despite the Supreme Court ruling.