***Party Factions Clash Over Supreme Court Verdict
The lingering leadership dispute within the Labour Party (LP) took a new turn on Wednesday as key figures including 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti threw their weight behind the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee.
The endorsement came during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and Stakeholders’ Townhall held in Abuja, where party leaders emphasized unity, the rule of law, and the need to move forward following a recent Supreme Court judgment that both factions are now interpreting differently.
Governor Otti, while addressing the gathering, cited the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court ruling, which he said effectively nullified earlier court decisions that recognized Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.
According to Otti, the apex court made it clear that the lower courts lacked jurisdiction in the matter, a position that, in his view, confirms the legitimacy of the Usman-led Caretaker Committee.
Explaining further he said,
“The Supreme Court has laid this matter to rest. The judgment struck out Abure’s claims and affirmed that due process was not followed in recognizing him as chairman.”
Otti also defended the September 2024 formation of a 29-member caretaker and legal committee in Umuahia, describing it as a lawful and collective step by party stakeholders. He urged party members to embrace peace and prepare for a full national convention, starting from the grassroots.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi used the platform to dispel ongoing rumors about his political allegiance.
“I have not left the Labour Party, and I am not leaving,” he said. “This is not just about me—it’s about building a democratic, inclusive party where fairness, justice, and competence define us.”
Obi emphasized that leadership must emerge from internal democracy and not imposition.
He pledged continued commitment to party-building and reforms that empower genuine Labour candidates at every level—from ward to national.
“We must not be afraid to speak the truth,” he added. “Even in failure, it is better to be on the side of right. Nigerians are suffering, and this party must be a light in the darkness.
Reacting to the endorsements and interpretations shared in Abuja, the faction led by Julius Abure dismissed the Usman-led Caretaker Committee as illegitimate.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, the Abure camp insisted that the Supreme Court ruling did not terminate their mandate or endorse any caretaker committee.
“The judgment only reaffirmed that internal matters of a political party are not for the courts to decide. It did not in any way dissolve the Abure-led leadership or validate Usman’s group,” the statement read.
They argued that the LP’s highest decision-making body—the national convention—had already elected its leaders in March 2024, in line with the constitution.
The Abure faction warned that any parallel meetings or pronouncements outside of the convention process would be considered illegal.
Despite the disagreement, Governor Otti revealed that efforts had been made behind the scenes to avoid escalation. He disclosed that he personally offered Abure an alternative leadership role and encouraged him to re-contest through formal party procedures.
“Leadership must not be imposed,” Otti said. “We’re not shutting anyone out, but the process must be followed from the bottom up. That’s how we rebuild credibility.”
Otti and Obi both stressed that the Nenadi Usman-led committee is a transitional body tasked only with overseeing fresh congresses and organizing a national convention—not holding onto power.
As both sides hold on to their interpretations of the Supreme Court judgment, the Labour Party now stands at a crossroads. The next few weeks could prove pivotal in determining whether the party resolves its internal differences or falls deeper into factionalism.
For now, the Usman-led Caretaker Committee appears to have the backing of high-profile leaders, but the Abure faction shows no sign of backing down—setting the stage for yet another round of internal power struggles.
