Suspension: You’re a Clown, Otti Blasts Abure

The Abia State Government has described factional national chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, as “clown desperately looking for crown”, labelling his suspension as laughable and undemocratic

In a statement issued by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government dismissed Abure’s announcement as a “desperate stunt” by a man strippe of authority by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

According to the statement, the apex court had previously ruled that Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party, affirming the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee as the legitimate leadership. The judgment, which aligns with the party’s constitution, reportedly nullified any actions taken by Abure in an official capacity.

The statement further revealed that Abure’s suspension announcement came hours after he was summoned by a disciplinary committee set up by the Usman-led caretaker committee to answer allegations of financial misconduct, impersonation, and anti-party activities.

“Abure and his gang of comedians are inconsequential irritants seeking relevance by dragging Governor Otti’s name into their self-serving schemes,” the statement read. “Nigerians should disregard this joke taken too far.”

The Abia State Government called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest Abure for alleged impersonation and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce the Supreme Court’s judgment to protect the integrity of the judiciary and Nigeria’s democracy.

As the controversy unfolds, political analysts suggest the crisis within the Labour Party may deepen, with factions scrambling for control ahead of future elections.

Governor Otti remains focused on governance, with his administration urging supporters and party members to ignore what it termed “the antics of a clown in desperate search of a crown.”

The Abure led NWC had earlier in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Farouq Umar, suspended Otti and four other members of the party over alleged anti party activities.