The internal crisis within the Labour Party (LP), took a new twist on Monday after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC)—which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not recognise—firmly rejected reconciliation efforts initiated by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, describing the move as dishonest and ill-timed.
The Abure faction insisted that the leadership dispute remains unresolved, saying that ongoing legal proceedings have not been exhausted.
It also accused Governor Otti of playing a central role in triggering the crisis currently engulfing the party.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, dismissed Otti’s reconciliation proposal, questioning both its sincerity and timing.
“We are not interested in any reconciliation move being proposed by Governor Alex Otti because he is largely responsible for the crisis facing the party today,” Ifoh said.
“What we witnessed was a decision of a court of first instance. Why can’t he wait for the outcome of the appeal before talking about reconciliation?” He asked.
Ifoh accused Otti of acting in haste, insisting that the Abure-led leadership would eventually prevail.
“Why is he suddenly in a rush? As far as we are concerned, their celebration is a pyrrhic victory. It will fade away, and Nigerians will soon see the authentic leadership of the Labour Party. The battle is far from over,” he stated.
The strong rejection emphasises the deepening divisions within the party, despite recent court rulings and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, decision to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee.
The Abure camp’s response came hours after Governor Otti publicly lamented the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, describing his departure as a significant blow to the Labour Party.
Otti made the remarks in Abuja during a meeting involving members of the party’s Board of Trustees, leaders of the National Caretaker Committee, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.
The meeting followed INEC’s recognition of the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, a move earlier criticised by the Abure’s faction as rushed and prejudicial.
Addressing stakeholders, Otti said the party’s new leadership was committed to healing internal divisions and restoring unity after its court victory.
“We have agreed that there is a need to establish a reconciliation committee. The interim National Working Committee will advise on the appropriate time to set it up. The goal is to reconcile all members who are willing to return,” he said.
He called on the Abure-led faction to reconsider its position.
“We call on Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and return to the party. As long as they are willing to abide by the party’s rules, we will gladly welcome them back,” Otti added.
Otti also commended INEC for complying with the Federal High Court judgment by replacing the Abure-led executive committee with the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee on its official portal.
