This post has already been read at least 11416 times!

In a landmark press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, firmly declared that the party has moved past the leadership crisis involving sacked chairman of the party, Julius Abure and is now focused on rebuilding, uniting, and preparing for Nigeria’s political future.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, party leaders, members, and supporters, Senator Usman opened her remarks with a powerful message of solidarity: “We bring you special greetings from the Labour Party – the beacon and face of the ‘New Nigeria We Want.’”

She continued, praising members for their commitment: “Let me start by commending you all, members and leaders of our great party, for your tireless efforts in advancing democratic ideals and the vision of the limitless possibilities of a new Nigeria.”

The press statement, themed “Labour Party Is Standing Strong and United: Ready to Emancipate Nigeria from APC Failure,” was a direct response to lingering controversies and the aftermath of a recent Supreme Court judgment that removed Barrister Julius Abure from his position as National Chairman.

Abure’s Tenure Over, Disciplinary Actions Begin

Senator Usman left no room for ambiguity as she announced that the party leadership was moving decisively to end Abure’s lingering influence:

“In the course of our collective journey as a Party, we have encountered both progress and challenges,” she said. “While we commend the Nigerian Judiciary and celebrate the recent Supreme Court judgement that sacked Mr Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Party, we must also confront with courage and clarity Mr Abure and his co-travellers’ divisive actions and familiar manipulative antics that threaten the integrity, public image and unity of our party.”

She revealed that after “a careful and comprehensive review of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on Friday, April 4, 2025,” the National Executive Council (NEC) had moved to launch disciplinary actions against Abure.

Specifically, “the NEC, in session, hereby announces the commencement of disciplinary actions against Mr. Abure. These actions have started with the constitution of a special investigative committee to review the actions of Mr. Abure as it affects the image and integrity of the party. In line with due process and the party constitution, NEC gives Mr. Abure 48 hours notice to show why disciplinary actions would not be taken against him for his numerous acts of misconduct against the party.”

She issued a stern warning: “Mr. Abure is hereby warned to desist from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party or impersonating the office in any form. The apex court of the land has clearly and finally nullified his claim to leadership, and his tenure has long expired by the passage of time. His continuing acts of reckless denigration of party leadership and open war against the party will attract severe sanctions.”

She urged Abure to turn his attention to “the serious allegations of corruption, forgery, perjury, and criminal conspiracy pending against him.”

Votes of Confidence in Key Party Figures

In a move designed to restore internal unity, Senator Usman reaffirmed strong support for key party figures — including Abia State Governor Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

“The NEC of the Labour Party has passed a resounding vote of confidence on His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, for his exemplary leadership and unwavering loyalty to the vision of the Labour Party,” she declared.

She emphasized that neither Abure nor his supporters had authority over Otti or any other party member: “It is important to make clear that Mr. Abure and his expired National Working Committee lack the legal or moral authority to speak about taking any disciplinary action against Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, or any member of the Labour Party for that matter.”

Extending an olive branch, Senator Usman apologized for past attacks: “On behalf of the leadership and members of the Labour Party globally, we tender an unreserved apology to Mr Peter Obi and Governor Otti, for the uncouth and irresponsible remarks previously made by the suspended former Chairman, Bar. Abure.”

She also extended the NEC’s vote of confidence to “the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all members of the Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly and various States Houses of Assembly.”

“You have all stood for truth, integrity, and the values that define the Labour Party,” she said, praising their commitment to the mission of “saving Nigeria through a Labour Party government in 2027.”

Clarifying the Leadership Dispute: A Timeline of Events

To eliminate confusion and combat misinformation, Senator Usman laid out a detailed factsheet:

“On June 9, 2023, Barr. Julius Abure was allowed to lead the LP NWC for a transitional one-year period post-2023 elections based on mediation and conciliation, with the clear mandate to conduct congresses from ward to national levels.”

“In March 2024, instead of following due process, Abure convened a National Convention without ward, LGA, or state congresses without INEC supervision contrary to the provisions of Section 223 of the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Party Constitution and INEC Regulations.”

“By June 8, 2024, INEC formally communicated to Mr Abure that his tenure had expired.”

“During the 2024 Ondo Governorship Election, INEC rejected LP agent lists submitted under Abure. Abure sued INEC to compel recognition — a legal battle he lost.”

“The Federal High Court erroneously ruled in Abure’s favour, but the Supreme Court on April 4, 2025, set aside the decisions of the lower courts recognizing Abure.”

She quoted the Supreme Court’s warning that “party leaders should humbly vacate office at the end of their tenure,” and pointed to Justice John Inyang Okoro’s clear declaration: “The decisions of the trial court and the court below, recognizing Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the first respondent (LP), are hereby set aside.”

Accordingly, she announced: “We hereby nullify all letters issued by the erstwhile Chairman to State Executive Committees. The National Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee is the only organ of the Labour Party with the power to appoint State Executive Caretaker Committees.”

Rebuilding the Party: Grassroots Mobilization and New Congresses

Looking to the future, Senator Usman outlined the party’s next steps:

“It is with great optimism and a sense of renewed purpose that I inform our members across the globe that the leadership of our great Party is diligently working to launch the nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise in the coming weeks,” she announced.

She confirmed that INEC had been formally notified of the party’s “planned activities, including the forthcoming ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses, culminating in the National Convention.” Full schedules, she promised, would be communicated soon.

A Rallying Call for Unity

Senator Usman concluded with an emphatic call for unity, reconciliation, and discipline:

“The Labour Party stands united, disciplined, and reinvigorated under my leadership and supported by all members of the party. We will no longer tolerate impunity, illegality, or personal ambition above Party interest.”

She called on all Nigerians and party members to rally together: “The journey to the limitless possibilities of a new Nigeria continues, and we invite every Nigerian of conscience, including some of our members on the other side, to join us.”

To those still loyal to Abure, she offered a clear message: “We call on all Labour Party members across Nigeria, irrespective of past disagreements or affiliations, to continue to support the current leadership and refuse to be demonized by Abure who has played his last card and is just clutching at straws.”

“The Labour Party is your home, and we need every hand on deck to build the Party of our dreams,” she urged, adding: “Let us unite to advance the limitless possibilities of a new Nigeria, one anchored on justice, equity, and the supremacy of the will of the people.”

In closing, she declared, “Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Acting National Secretary, and other top elected office holders of the party, stood alongside Senator Usman at the press conference, underscoring the unified leadership’s message: the Labour Party is breaking its silence, closing the chapter on the Abure era, and boldly repositioning for the future.

This post has already been read at least 11416 times!