Crisis is brewing in Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) as top officials have accused Abia State Governor Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of attempting to hijack the party’s structure for personal political gain.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, LP National Secretary Umar Farouk Ibrahim condemned what he described as an “illegal” National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened by Obi and Otti in Abuja.
“Desperate Power Grab” — Party Fires Back
Ibrahim alleged that after the “unauthorised” NEC meeting, Obi led a delegation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a bid to pressure the commission to support their cause.
“If the Supreme Court ruling truly supports them, why the rush to INEC to exert undue influence?” Ibrahim questioned.
He also revealed that Obi and Otti offered a “soft landing” to embattled National Chairman Julius Abure, proposing to make him Chairman of the Board of Trustees—a move Ibrahim described as political patronage and an affront to internal democracy.
Allegations of Intimidation and Threats
According to Ibrahim, Wednesday’s meeting was filled with threats and a resolve to “reclaim” the party’s leadership by force if necessary. He warned that such actions violate the party’s constitution and amount to “self-help” tactics.
“If party leaders can’t respect internal rules while out of power, how will they uphold the national constitution if given the opportunity?” Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim referenced a similar stance from labour union leader Comrade Joe Ajaero, who also vowed to picket LP offices nationwide. He insisted the NEC meeting was unconstitutional, citing a Supreme Court ruling that only the National Secretary, in consultation with the Chairman, can convene such a meeting.
The list of attendees, which included LP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, members of a “so-called” National Caretaker Committee, lawmakers, and labour representatives, was dismissed by Ibrahim as further proof of the meeting’s illegality.
As tensions escalate, the LP’s internal conflict appears far from over. Ibrahim concluded by urging party members and the public to “disregard both the gathering and its outcomes,” insisting that only due process and respect for party structures can restore order.
