Labour Party Lawmakers Slam Abure-Led Faction’s Suspensions as “Fake” and Desperate

Tensions in the Labour Party (LP) escalated further this week as members of the party’s caucus in the House of Representatives denounced recent suspensions announced by the Julius Abure-led faction as “fake” and “laughable.”

In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, LP lawmakers accused Abure of launching a campaign of internal sabotage aimed at preserving his grip on power, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that cast doubt on his legitimacy as party chairman.

The LP has been locked in a long-running leadership crisis, with Abure’s faction facing off against a caretaker committee led by former minister Nenadi Usman. The Usman committee enjoys the backing of influential party figures, including Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Alex Otti, governor of Abia State.

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to affirm Abure as chairman—a verdict that has since sparked competing claims of victory from the party’s various factions. Adding to the confusion, Lamidi Apapa has also laid claim to the party’s top seat.

In April, Abure’s camp suspended Afam Ogene, the leader of the LP caucus in the House of Representatives, citing “dereliction of duty” and replaced him with Ben Etanabene. This week, the faction intensified its purge, suspending Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Senators Darlington Nwokocha, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi.

But in a swift and blistering response, the affected lawmakers rejected the suspensions outright.

“The so-called suspension is a joke,” the statement read. “It’s a desperate power grab by a man whose legitimacy has been discredited by the nation’s highest court.”

The lawmakers blasted Abure’s leadership record, accusing him of driving the party into chaos rather than building on its recent electoral momentum.

“Since the Peter Obi wave of 2023, what has Abure done to grow the party?” they asked. “From Kogi to Bayelsa, Ondo to Edo, his leadership has only delivered electoral disasters.”

They challenged Abure’s faction to name a single notable figure it has brought into the party since 2023, asserting that his tenure has been marked by failure and opportunism.

“Instead of addressing the party’s challenges, Abure has turned the LP into a circus,” the lawmakers said. “Now, he’s manufacturing suspensions like a press boy desperate for relevance.”

Governor Alex Otti has gone a step further, calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Abure for alleged impersonation.

The joint statement was signed by Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi, who vowed not to recognise any directives issued by the Abure-led faction, which they described as “a shameless gang of jesters.”

As the battle for control over the Labour Party intensifies, it remains unclear how the impasse will be resolved—but one thing is certain: the war within the LP is far from over.