The leadership crisis within the Labour Party (LP) deepened on Wednesday as the faction led by Julius Abure announced the indefinite suspension of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, alongside several others, over alleged anti-party activities.
In a statement signed by the faction’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, the suspended members include Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi.
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Farouk explained that the suspension followed a thorough investigation conducted by a five-member disciplinary committee set up by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
The committee, inaugurated on 2 May, was chaired by Deputy National Chairman Ayo Olorunfemi, with Farouk and three others serving as members.
According to the party, the NEC convened on Wednesday and, after extensive deliberations in accordance with the powers granted to it by the party’s constitution, ratified the committee’s recommendations, thereby formalising the suspensions.
The statement read, “By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies, among others, are to take note.
“It will surprise Nigerians and party faithfuls that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party. First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party, being not a card-carrying member of the Party.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will, therefore, not honour her with any sanction for not being a member of the party.
“Again, we are aware that Ms Usman recently, in a well-televised occasion, in cohort with a former Kaduna state governor, joined another political party where she pledged loyalty to the party. We are clearly confused about where Usman Nenadi’s loyalty lies.
“The party leadership is also surprised that Nenadi Usman is talking about corruption when, indeed, she is the headmistress of corruption. Nigerians are already aware of all the EFCC cases against her and we expect Ms Usman to come out and explain to Nigerians the story behind her Plea Bargain with EFCC and all the properties she allegedly forfeited.
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption.
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“In any event, the party’s financial records are straight and it will interest the members of the public to know that the party’s audited account has been published. INEC, being the regulatory body, sent their external auditors to audit the party’s account, and they gave a clean report and also commended the party for its financial transparency. It is on record that among the comity of Political Parties in Nigeria, the Labour Party’s financial records were adjudged to be among the best.
“Finally, the party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition and we want to reiterate that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger. As we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition, those driving the agenda, lack the capacity, character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement.
“These are people who have failed to manage one political party; how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests? The Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as a stand-alone party, and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”
