Labour party crisis: Otti mocks Abure’s suspension threat

DDM News

A fresh wave of internal strife has engulfed the Labour Party following the controversial suspension of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, by Julius Abure, the embattled former national chairman of the party.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Governor Otti, in a swift and scathing response on Wednesday, described the suspension as an empty threat from what he termed “a clown looking for a crown.”

The governor’s reaction was conveyed in a strongly worded statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma.

Ekeoma asserted that Abure lacked the legal or moral authority to suspend Otti or any member of the Labour Party.

He referenced a recent Supreme Court judgment which, according to him, made it clear that Abure is no longer recognized as the party’s national chairman.

The judgment, aligned with the Labour Party’s constitution, led to the establishment of a caretaker leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman.

Ekeoma accused Abure of impersonation and desperate misconduct aimed at retaining influence amid serious allegations.

He stated that Governor Otti had already been summoned by the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee to answer to allegations of financial misappropriation, impersonation, and anti-party activities.

Rather than appear before the committee, Abure allegedly rushed to the media to announce Otti’s suspension as a diversionary tactic.

This move, according to the governor’s camp, was intended to mislead the public and escape disciplinary scrutiny.

The statement described the suspension announcement as “a joke taken too far” and likened Abure’s faction to comedians pushing a personal agenda.

Ekeoma emphasized that Abure and his faction no longer hold legitimate authority within the party and that their actions directly contradict both party rules and judicial pronouncements.

He called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest Abure for impersonation and related offences.

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce the Supreme Court judgment by refusing to recognize Abure in any official capacity.

Ekeoma stressed that such enforcement is vital for preserving the sanctity of the judiciary and maintaining democratic integrity.

The Labour Party has been battling a deep internal crisis for months, with various factions fighting for control.

Abure, who once held significant sway within the party, has faced mounting opposition due to allegations of corruption and undemocratic conduct.

The rise of Senator Nenadi Usman as head of the caretaker committee was seen as a corrective move to restore stability and integrity.

Governor Otti’s national influence and leadership position have made him a target of political machinations within the fractured party.

The suspension saga has exposed deeper divisions, raising fears about the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections.

Governor Otti remains defiant, maintaining that the suspension lacks legal foundation and is politically motivated.

He insists that the real issue is Abure’s refusal to subject himself to party discipline and accountability.

Political observers warn that if unresolved, the crisis could weaken the Labour Party’s prospects and credibility as a major opposition force.

As Nigerians watch the drama unfold, the fate of the party may hinge on its ability to resolve its leadership dispute transparently and lawfully.

The future of the Labour Party now depends on restoring unity and upholding the principles of justice, internal democracy, and accountability.

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