Labour Party NEC Convenes in Abuja Amid Leadership Turmoil, Rallies Behind Obi, Caretaker Committee
The Labour Party (LP) held a high-stakes National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, pushing forward with unity efforts despite ongoing tensions surrounding the party’s leadership crisis and a recent Supreme Court judgment.
The session, chaired by Nenadi Usman former Minister of Finance and current head of the party’s caretaker committee — drew major party heavyweights. In attendance were 2023 presidential flagbearer Peter Obi, his running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti. Also present were Olumide Akpata and Athan Achonu, LP’s gubernatorial candidates for Edo and Imo states respectively.
The NEC meeting came just two days after embattled factional chairman Julius Abure issued threats to sanction Obi and Otti for organizing the gathering — threats that were clearly defined as numerous LP senators and House of Representatives members stood in solidarity with the caretaker leadership.
During the meeting, the NEC passed a vote of confidence in Obi, Baba-Ahmed, Governor Otti, the Usman-led caretaker committee, and the wider Obidient movement — signalling a strong message of internal cohesion and forward momentum.
In her opening remarks, Usman extended an olive branch to members of the former National Working Committee (NWC), urging them to “sheathe their swords and join the effort to rebuild the party.”
She also addressed concerns about the party’s internal processes, announcing that LP would soon release an official statement following a review of its recent governorship primaries in Anambra State. This follows the emergence of George Moghalu, former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as the winner of the party’s primary held on Saturday in Awka.
