The Labour Party (LP) has been plunged deeper into internal strife as rival factions exchange accusations over the interpretation of the Supreme Court’s April 4 judgment and the party’s stance on its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Senator Nenadi Usman’s faction, which claims legitimacy following the court ruling, dismissed reports of an alleged plot to expel Obi as false and mischievous. Her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Eluma Asogwa, accused “political jesters” and “impostors” of spreading disinformation to undermine Obi’s coalition-building efforts. “Their antics are laughable, illegal, and desperate,” he said, stressing that only communications from the Acting National Chairman’s office should be trusted.
Asogwa reiterated that Obi’s coalition activities have the full support of the party’s leadership, referencing a May 25 statement backing his efforts to forge alliances.
However, the Julius Abure-led faction fired back, accusing Usman of misrepresenting the Supreme Court judgment. In a counter-statement by National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, the group argued that the ruling merely reaffirmed that the judiciary lacks jurisdiction over internal party affairs — and did not endorse any leadership.
“She keeps quoting only the part of the judgment that suits her narrative,” Ifoh said. “The court didn’t pronounce her chairman. Her interpretation is misleading.”
The Abure camp dismissed Usman’s claim to leadership and insisted the party has moved beyond court drama to focus on the 2027 elections. “Serious aspirants are already engaging with us,” Ifoh said. “Let the wailers keep wailing — we’re moving forward.”