Abia State Governor and Labour Party national leader, Dr. Alex Otti, has moved to firmly restore order within the party, stating that ousted National Chairman Julius Abure and his supporters can only rejoin if they formally accept the Nenadi Usman-led Interim National Working Committe.
Otti’s stance comes in the wake of the January 21 Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which removed Abure from office after months of internal disputes that hampered the party’s operations and public image.
Following the judgment, the Independent National Electoral Commission delisted Abure’s faction and officially recognised the Nenadi Usman-led Interim NWC, ending the prolonged parallel leadership that had left the party incapable of fielding candidates or presenting a unified voice.
Addressing reporters in Abuja on Saturday night, Otti adopted a firm yet conciliatory approach, declaring that the period of factionalism was over and reconciliation would proceed only according to the party’s constitution.
“Once they are willing to abide by the rules of the party, we would be happy to receive them,” he said, urging Abure and his supporters to “sheath their swords” and return to the fold.
Otti made the remarks after chairing an expanded NWC meeting at the Abia State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. The gathering included leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and members of the party’s Board of Trustees.
The meeting followed a landmark Supreme Court ruling on April 4, 2025, reaffirming that political parties must strictly follow their constitutions in resolving internal disputes.
Acting on that directive, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court recognised former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party pending a national convention.
INEC subsequently updated its records to reflect the Usman-led Interim NWC, a development Otti hailed as a turning point.
“For the first time in months, the Labour Party can now move forward,” he said.
Otti revealed that the meeting focused on rebuilding party structures nationwide, granting approval for Ward, State, and Zonal Congresses in preparation for a national convention.
He also announced a nationwide membership revalidation and registration exercise scheduled to begin in March.
Despite the progress, Otti acknowledged the political setback caused by the crisis, noting that the party would be unable to participate in the upcoming Federal Capital Territory area council elections.
“It is painful, but unavoidable,” he said, attributing the setback to the prolonged leadership crisis and conflicting court orders.
