Drama as Abure Issues Stern Warning to Gov Otti Over Move to Convene NEC Meeting, Details Emerge

Drama as Abure Issues Stern Warning to Gov Otti Over Move to Convene NEC Meeting, Details Emerge

  • The Labour Party's leadership warned Abia State Governor Alex Otti to stop interfering in party affairs and focus on governance
  • Rejected Authority: National Chairman Julius Abure criticized Otti's plan to dissolve key party councils
  • In response to Otti’s actions and claims related to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abure announced the formation of a disciplinary committee

The Labour Party's internal crisis escalated on Tuesday, August 27, as the party's leadership warned Abia State Governor Alex Otti to focus on governance and refrain from meddling in party affairs.

Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure issued this caution during a press conference in Abuja.

LP chairman, Abure sends strong message to Abia state governor over affairs of the party
LP chairman, Abure sends strong message to Abia state governor over affairs of the party Photo credit: @alexottiofr/@PIDOMNIGERIA
Source: Twitter

He expressed frustration that the party already faces enough challenges from external critics without having to deal with internal conflicts among its leaders and members.

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Abure's frustration was sparked by a recent meeting where Governor Otti expressed his intention to convene a National Executive Committee meeting on August 31 to "dissolve the National Executive Council, State Executive Council, Local Government Executive Council, and Ward Executive Council," citing expired tenures as the reason, The Punch reported.

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However, Abure rejected Otti’s plan, stating that it was beyond the governor's authority to make such decisions.

As a result, Abure announced that the party’s National Working Committee has formed a disciplinary committee to sanction any members or leaders who make decisions that could harm the party, The Nation reported.

He stated:

“Even if we assume that the current NWC's tenure has expired, it remains clear that it is not Dr. Alex Otti’s role, as the governor of Abia State, to call an NEC meeting to establish a caretaker committee.

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"This duty falls to the national chairman and the national secretary of the party.
“Moreover, INEC is responsible for officially notifying the party in writing if there are objections to the convention or to inform the leadership about the expiration of its tenure.
"We urge our colleagues to focus on governance and allow us to manage party matters.”

Abure continued by stating that Otti’s claims were reportedly grounded in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suggesting that the tenures of the current NWC and other grassroots leaders had ended.

However, Abure revealed that, prior to the party's recent exclusion from INEC's discussions with political parties, there had been no conflict with the commission.

Abia APC backs Kalu against Gov Otti

In another report, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Abia state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has backed the House of Representatives deputy speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu's call for Governor Alex Otti to return to the ruling party.

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In a statement, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, Abia APC chairman, reiterated the party's support for Kalu's invitation to Otti, emphasising that the Labour Party will be ousted in 2027.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ezra Ukanwa avatar

Ezra Ukanwa (Editor) Ezra Ukanwa is a first-class graduate of Anchor University, Lagos. He holds a master's degree in mass communication. Ezra currently serves as the Current Affairs and Politics Editor for Legit.ng, where he covers events and provides insightful analysis and reportage on national issues. He was named best Campus Journalist (Anchor University Communications Award, 2019). Kindly contact him at: ezra.ukanwa@corp.legit.ng or +2349036989944

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