On Tuesday, the faction of the Labour Party (LP) loyal to Julius Abure went ahead with its nationwide congresses — ward-level meetings in all states except Abia State — despite a subsisting court injunction obtained by the rival camp led by Alex Otti.
The decision to proceed comes amid a bitter leadership dispute within the party, with each camp rejecting the authority of the other. According to the national publicity secretary of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), Obiora Ifoh, the congresses recorded what he described as “impressive turnout and smooth conduct,” with supervision teams across the country sending in “positive reports.”
Ifoh reiterated that the party remains committed to repositioning itself ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said the electoral process began at the ward level on Tuesday, while local government area congresses are scheduled for Thursday, and state congresses across the country will take place on Saturday, December 6.
What about Abia?
Abia State was notably excluded from Tuesday’s exercise, following an order by an Abia State High Court that restrained the Abure-led NWC from holding any congresses in the state. The injunction, granted on November 26 under Suit No. HIN/47/2025 — filed by the Otti-aligned faction — specifically bars what it calls “purported and unlawful” ward, local government, and state congresses in Abia.
Still, Ifoh insisted that the Abure camp will comply with the order — but only after its legal team “vacates” the injunction. He argued that the November 28 meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), attended by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had mandated a democratic restructuring of party leadership across all states.
Accusations, threats, and deeper divisions
In a statement, Ifoh accused unnamed “fifth columnists” of spreading misinformation aimed at destabilizing the party. He invoked Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act, warning that those who publish “fake news” claiming a nationwide cancellation of the congresses could face prosecution.
He further dismissed claims from the rival faction that the court order applied beyond Abia State, insisting it was only valid for Abia — and that no court has stopped congresses nationwide.
The broader leadership struggle has been raging for months. In April 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria annulled judgement that had previously recognised Abure as LP’s national chairman, holding that courts lack jurisdiction over internal party leadership disputes.
Subsequently, an interim NWC headed by Senator Nenadi Usman was constituted — a development rejected by the Abure camp, which declared the Usman-led NEC meeting illegal and invalid.
The Usman/Otti-aligned faction has called on law enforcement to arrest and prosecute anyone participating in what they describe as “illegal congresses.”
What this means for LP’s future
As the Abure camp moves forward with its re-organisation plan, the party appears more divided than ever. With twin claims to internal legitimacy — one grounded in court orders and caretaker-committee appointments, the other in a nationwide congress effort — LP risks fracturing further unless the factions negotiate a truce or a neutral third-party intervention emerges.
For now, the Abure faction is banking on the nationwide turnout and the momentum of internal restructuring to strengthen its hand ahead of the 2027 elections. Whether that will translate into unity — or deepen the schism — remains to be seen.
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