The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has announced the cancellation of the automatic tickets previously reserved for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for the 2027 election.
This was revealed at the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Monday, September 9, 2024, in Abuja.
The decision effectively opens up all the party’s tickets, from the presidency to the House of Assemblies, to all eligible Nigerians.
In a communique from the NEC, the party explained, “NEC in session also reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti respectively.”
The party emphasized that the decision was to foster inclusivity and fairness in the selection process for future elections, as it stated, “The party has thrown open all its tickets, from the presidency to the House of Assemblies, to all qualified Nigerians.”
This development followed a meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State, last week, where Labour Party leaders, including Obi, Otti, and some elected Senators and House of Representatives members of the party, appointed a 29-man caretaker committee to oversee the party temporarily.
The caretaker committee, chaired by former Minister of Finance Nenadi Usman, was tasked with organizing an election for new party leadership within 90 days.
However, the Abure-led NEC nullified the decisions made during the Umuahia meeting.
In a statement signed by Julius Abure and the National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, the NEC declared that there was no leadership vacuum in the party, as it had already “conducted its National Convention in line with its constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on March 27, 2024, at Nnewi, Anambra State.”
The NEC reaffirmed its position by stating, “We call on the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, to stop aiding and abetting the Governor of Abia State Alex Otti to further cause damage to the party.”
The communique further condemned Governor Otti for referencing the INEC Chairman as supporting his position.
It read, “NEC in session also notes that His Excellency Alex Otti has constantly quoted the INEC Chairman as saying that the tenure of the officers of the party has expired, which His Excellency Alex Otti said has necessitated his calling of the meeting and setting up a Caretaker Committee.”
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In response, the Abure-led NEC urged members and the public to disregard the outcome of the Umuahia meeting.
The party’s NEC also reinstated confidence in the leadership of Julius Abure and his National Working Committee (NWC). It called on all party members to respect the current leadership and adhere to lawful directives.
Additionally, the NEC delegated the NWC with the authority to fill vacant positions and approved the conduct of State, Local Government, and Ward Congresses.
It also approved the formation of a disciplinary committee and the review of certain disciplinary actions in the spirit of reconciliation.
“NEC in session also approved the composition of the disciplinary committee as provided in the Constitution,” the communique stated.
This internal party conflict followed an earlier announcement on September 4, 2024, when a faction of the party, led by Peter Obi and Alex Otti, announced the formation of the 29-man caretaker committee, with Darlington Nwokocha, the immediate past Senate Deputy Minority Leader, appointed as the Secretary of the committee.
According to Ukoha Njoku, Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, the caretaker committee’s role was to “conduct Ward, local government, state congresses, and a national convention in accordance with the party’s constitution.”
The Abure-led NEC has firmly rejected the caretaker committee’s legitimacy, maintaining that the party’s leadership remains intact following the National Convention in March.
