The leadership crisis within the Labour Party took a new dimension on Monday, as the Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC) announced the removal of Hon. Afam Ogene as the LP Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives, citing anti-party activities.
At the end of a NEC meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the Labour Party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk, read a communiqué stating that the disciplinary committee may also sanction the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, if they proceed with their planned stakeholders’ engagement on Wednesday and any other activity perceived as undermining the party.
Both Abure and Obi had earlier summoned separate NEC meetings in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on party leadership. While Abure’s meeting was held at the party’s national headquarters, Obi and Otti scheduled theirs for Wednesday at a yet-to-be-disclosed venue.
The National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, stated in a release titled, “PRESS INVITATION: The National Executive Committee meeting of the Labour Party held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the National Party Secretariat.”
Shortly after, Obi’s Spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, also issued an invitation for a parallel gathering, “The two leading figures of the Labour Party, the 2023 presidential flag bearer Peter Obi and the sole state governor of the party, Alex Oti of Abia State, have summoned the National Executive Committee of the party in Abuja on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
“In a notice signed by the two men, the NEC meeting shall be followed concurrently by an interactive Town Hall Engagement with major stakeholders and other organs of the party at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.”
The meeting is expected to host key party figures, including LP’s vice-presidential candidate in 2023, serving and former lawmakers, and candidates.
Outside the Labour Party headquarters, tensions escalated with the presence of police patrol vans and a crowd of suspected miscreants.
After the NEC meeting, Farouk announced that Ogene was being replaced by Hon. Ben Etanabene.
“NEC in session reviewed the activities of the House of Representatives Caucus leader, Hon Victor Afam Ogene and wishes to note as follows: That the voice of the current leadership of the party is not being heard in the hallowed lower chambers and there is a lack of cohesion amongst our members in the House.
“Again, the leadership appears to be compromised and the ideology of the party is not well represented. NEC in session, as a result, decided to relieve Ogene of that leadership role for dereliction of duty. Consequently, Hon Ben Etanabene has been appointed as the Labour Party’s Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives.”
The NEC further directed Ogene to return party property and financial contributions in his custody. Ogene had earlier voiced support for the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee and welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict.
He stated, “Next week, we expect the National Caretaker Committee, NCC, led by respected former Minister of Finance, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, to convene an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting to chart the way forward.
“The caucus had emphasised at the time that the party’s health and sustainability were paramount, given its internal conflicts. As direct representatives of the people, they felt the party needed time to resolve its leadership issues and operational problems before holding a potentially divisive convention.
“Rather than heed that patriotic call, the party leadership proceeded to unleash tirades against them, abusing them in the media and threatening that they would be denied the party tickets for re-election in 2027. That was not only insensitive but undemocratic and disrespectful to the caucus, whose only concern was the peace, sustainability, and progress of the party.”
The NEC did not specify sanctions for Obi and Otti but warned they could face suspension. The communiqué read, “NEC in session notes the various anti-party activities of Governor Alex Otti, including calling of unauthorized Stakeholders meeting and usurping the powers of NEC. He also conducted the LGA Election using another Political Party. The governor has also intensified his effort to factionalise the party leadership by calling an illegal NEC scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
“The leadership of the Labour Party is also aware of the governor’s plot to cripple our party before moving to another political party where he hopes to contest the 2027 governorship election. His anti-party activities are unbecoming of a highly respected personality and can no longer be acceptable.”
“NEC in session also caution the former presidential candidate of our great party not to participate in any action capable of undermining the peace, unity and integrity of the party as the NEC will not hesitate to discipline any other erring member who violates the party constitution regardless of how big or powerful such individuals may be and issue a stiffer penalty if found culpable.”
Abure, in his first appearance since the Supreme Court ruling, insisted the judgment had been misinterpreted and reaffirmed his leadership.
“Tell them that there is no vacancy in our party. In the Labour Party, we don’t betray our candidates even though some betray us after giving them tickets. We also want to urge those who have been deceived by last week’s misleading interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment to disregard the speculation. I remain the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
“Again, the Labour Party Constitution does not recognise the setting up of a caretaker committee for party affairs.” he declared.
He further criticized the roles of Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha, “It is, however, regrettable that certain actors, most notably Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha, have chosen to misrepresent the ruling, deliberately misleading the public and attempting to manufacture confusion through a purported ‘Caretaker Committee.’
“Let it be stated categorically that this so-called committee is both unconstitutional and illegitimate. Those who convened the meeting in Umuahia lacked the legal authority to do so. They neither hold the office of National Chairman nor National Secretary as required by our party’s constitution.”
Reacting to the NEC’s resolutions, the Acting National Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, described Abure’s actions as irrational.
“I think this has become something strange. This is a case of mental illness. Come to think of it, it is no longer Peter Obi, Otti or the NLC that Abure is fighting. He is fighting the highest court in the land. And that is the Supreme Court where, after his, he can only go to heaven to appeal.”
“He has been told by the apex court that you are no more qualified and can no longer be the chairman of the Labour Party in a very simple language. This same Abure has been heard saying that over his dead body will he leave the Labour Party. He said instead, he will destroy it. You can quote me on that.” Ndubuaku stated
He added that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would soon clarify the matter, “Now that earlier court judgment has been vacated, will INEC keep saying Abure is the national chairman by court judgments? So whatever game Abure is playing with INEC, we will soon find out.
“I’m sure by the end of today, the CTC of that judgment will be out. At least it will clear everything. We’ll see.”
Meanwhile, Tony Akeni, spokesman for the Usman-led Caretaker Committee, condemned Ogene’s removal and Etanabene’s appointment.
“I have a lot to say about Hon Etabene. He’s a great guy, but his role in this Abure saga leaves much to the desire. That table will turn. And when it turns, those that Abure is trying to ridicule will be in a position where he will have to make his own rules and be sorry for himself.
“A lot is coming against Abure. It seems he is being misadvised because at this moment, what we expect is total remorse. Not speaking like an emperor that has an empire at his disposal. What Abure is holding is an empire of ashes. Trust me.
“So whatever he’s contemplating to do is child’s play. It is a swansong and he’s going to be very sorry for any action that embarrasses the leadership of the party, whether political leaders like Peter Obi or Governor Oti. He’s going to be very sorry about it. I can assure you.” Akeni said.
