By Agboola Aluko
April 10, 2025 | 5-Minute Read
T he Labour Party (LP) finds itself at a crossroads following a deepening internal crisis sparked by a recent Supreme Court ruling. The ruling, which stated that no court can interfere in the internal affairs of political parties, has led to a split within the party, with two factions fighting for control.
One faction, led by former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, is challenging the leadership of the party's National Chairman Julius Abure, who is recognized as the legitimate leader by law until the full interpretation of the Supreme Court's judgment. The factions' dispute has grown into a major political struggle, with both sides accusing each other of undermining the party’s constitution.
In a bid to strengthen their position, the Otti-Obi faction held a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today in Abuja, which they declared as an effort to gain official recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During the meeting, Otti and Obi presented a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court ruling to INEC, seeking clarity and alignment on the party's leadership structure.
However, the Abure faction responded strongly, branding the Otti-Obi meeting as “illegal” and accusing them of attempting to hijack the party. The Abure faction issued a statement condemning the actions of the rival group, claiming they had violated the Supreme Court’s ruling, which emphasized the need for adherence to the party’s constitution. According to the Abure faction, only the National Secretary, in consultation with the National Chairman, is authorized to call a NEC meeting. Therefore, the meeting convened by Obi and Otti was deemed unlawful and void.
The statement from the Abure faction read, “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to an illegal NEC meeting convened by Dr. Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, and Peter Obi, Labour Party’s former Presidential candidate. In an attempt to exert undue influence over the electoral commission, they have continued in their futile effort to hijack the party structure.”
The Abure faction also rejected the proposal made by Obi and Otti to offer Abure a position as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), calling it an attempt to undermine the party’s democratic processes. They argued that such actions were an extension of the arbitrary behavior that has plagued Nigerian politics.
The Abure faction further warned against the use of “brute force” and intimidation, which they claimed had been suggested by Obi and Otti in a bid to regain control of the party. They urged the rival faction to resolve the issue peacefully and through legal means, emphasizing that threats and intimidation would not resolve the leadership crisis.
In the face of these accusations, Governor Otti and Peter Obi have asserted their commitment to the Labour Party’s future, presenting their case to INEC as part of their effort to legitimize their claim to the party’s leadership. Otti and Obi’s visit to INEC, where they met with INEC’s Acting Chairman Mr. Sam Olumekun and other National Commissioners, was seen as a crucial step in ensuring the party's alignment with the Supreme Court ruling.
During the meeting, Mr. Olumekun reaffirmed INEC's commitment to neutrality and the rule of law, stressing the importance of transparency and fairness in the party’s leadership dispute.
The ongoing conflict within the Labour Party poses a significant challenge to the opposition, as the party is divided at a time when political unity is critical for presenting a formidable alternative to the ruling party. The internal squabble has raised concerns about the LP’s ability to maintain focus on national issues and effectively challenge the government in the upcoming elections.
Both factions remain firm in their stance, with the Abure group insisting that their leadership is legally recognized and the Obi-Otti faction pushing for a shift in control. The outcome of this leadership struggle could have long-term implications for the Labour Party, as it seeks to recover from internal turmoil and solidify its position within Nigerian politics.
As the crisis continues to unfold, all eyes are on the Labour Party to see how it navigates these turbulent waters and whether it can resolve its leadership dispute in a way that will unite the party and restore its focus on the future of Nigeria.
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