Says Obi, Otti biggest losers in
Party’s leadership crisis
The leadership of the Labour Party has dismissed claims by Senator Nenadi Usman’s faction that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn recognition from Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman, describing the assertion as “laughable misinformation.”
Obiora Ifoh, the party’s spokesperson, stated that INEC’s counter-affidavit – which claims Abure’s tenure expired in June 2024 – had already been rejected by multiple courts, including the Supreme Court.
In a strongly worded statement, the party accused Usman and her allies of “celebrating nothing” while warning that the real losers in the ongoing crisis are former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
The Labour Party argued that the factional dispute, if not resolved, could weaken the party’s electoral prospects and play into the hands of political opponents.
The controversy stems from the Federal High Court’s dismissal on 15 August of two cases related to the party’s leadership. One was filed by Abure challenging INEC’s refusal to recognise his leadership, while the other was brought by Chris Omofuma, a candidate backed by Usman’s faction, seeking recognition for the Edo bye-election.
The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction, citing the Supreme Court’s earlier decision that political parties must resolve internal disputes without judicial interference.
However, Usman’s camp seized on INEC’s counter-affidavit, which stated that Abure’s tenure had expired and that the commission did not recognise the party’s March 2024 convention in Nnewi. The faction declared the court ruling as confirmation of Abure’s illegitimacy.
The Labour Party swiftly countered, insisting that INEC’s affidavit was legally inconsequential. “This same document has been presented and rejected in Justice Omotosho’s court, Justice Nwite’s court, the Court of Appeal, and even the Supreme Court,” Ifoh said. “The Federal High Court’s latest dismissal did not validate INEC’s claims—it simply declined jurisdiction.”
The party further pointed to a 23 July interlocutory order by the Nasarawa State High Court, which directed INEC to recognise Abure and his national secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, as the party’s lawful leaders. The Labour Party warned INEC against disregarding the ruling, accusing the electoral body of “collaborating with renegades to undermine democracy.”
Legal experts suggest INEC faces a dilemma. “If INEC recognises Usman’s faction, it risks contempt of the Nasarawa court,” said constitutional lawyer Emeka Eze. “But if it sides with Abure, it contradicts its own affidavit. The safest path is to maintain neutrality until a superior court resolves the conflict.”
In a striking admission, the Labour Party acknowledged that the crisis has damaged its political standing, with Obi and Otti suffering the most. “Who benefits from this crisis? Certainly not our party,” Ifoh said. “Peter Obi and Alex Otti are the biggest losers here. Our opponents are celebrating while we fight among ourselves.”
Obi, who has remained silent on the dispute, risks losing grassroots support if the party’s internal wars persist. Similarly, Otti, one of the party’s few governors, could face isolation if the Labour Party’s structure collapses.
The Labour Party urged its members to remain calm, assuring them that Abure’s leadership remains intact. However, some party stalwarts are pushing for an emergency convention to resolve the crisis. “This legal back-and-forth helps no one,” said a senior LP official who requested anonymity. “We need a political solution, not more court cases.”
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