In a bold and direct declaration, Labour Party (LP) Chairmen from Nigeria’s North Central zone have thrown their full support behind embattled National Chairman Julius Abure. They accuse the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of destabilizing the party for personal gain.
Addressing journalists in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, on Wednesday, the State Chairman of LP, Alexander Ombugu, spoke on behalf of the party leaders from the region. He declared unwavering loyalty to Abure, whom he insists was duly elected at the March 2024 Nnewi national convention.
According to Ombugu, the party in the North Central zone — covering Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and Plateau States — has resolved to continue backing Abure until his tenure ends. He confirmed that the chairmen recently paid a solidarity visit to Abure in Abuja. The visit was aimed at reassuring him of their continued support amidst the storm currently rocking the party’s leadership.
Dismissing ongoing speculations of a factional crisis within the Labour Party, Ombugu said there is no division. He made it clear that Julius Abure remains the party’s only recognized National Chairman.
“The Labour Party does not have any faction. I am surprised to hear some people saying there is a faction in the party. How is there a faction when we have an elected National Chairman and other executives who are currently occupying their positions?” he asked.
He continued, “Our National Chairman is Julius Abure and he is the only person that we know. Any other person parading himself or herself as the national chairman should be seen as a joker by Nigerians.”
Allegations Against Obi and Otti
Ombugu didn’t stop there. He went further to accuse Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti of deliberately stirring internal strife within the party. According to him, their actions could seriously damage the party’s unity and undermine its chances in the 2027 general elections.
He stressed that the North Central region played a key role in Obi’s 2023 electoral success. He cited Nasarawa State as one of the strongholds where the Labour Party secured a landslide victory during the last presidential election.
“You see that we won the presidential election with a landslide here in Nasarawa State. Even Peter Obi benefited from our efforts,” Ombugu said.
He revealed that Obi had initially been cooperative with the party’s leadership after the Nnewi convention. However, things reportedly changed once Governor Otti began “creating confusion” within the party. He accused the governor of poisoning the relationship between Obi and the party’s leadership.
“Since then, Obi has not been working with us as expected,” Ombugu lamented.
A Call for Reconciliation:
Despite the sharp criticism, Ombugu made it clear that the door remains open for reconciliation. He urged both Obi and Otti to realign with the party’s national leadership. He encouraged them to bring any grievances to the National Working Committee for resolution.
He said, “However, as a party that loves and cares for its members, we are urging them to change for the better. Labour Party believes in unity of purpose. In the party, everybody is important. We do not discriminate. So, we will be happy if they come forward to the leadership of the party so that their complaints or challenges can be addressed.”
In a final appeal, Ombugu called on all aggrieved members of the Labour Party — at national, state, local government, and ward levels — to bury their differences. He said this is the only way the party can remain strong and united heading into the 2027 elections.
As tensions simmer beneath the surface, the Labour Party faces a defining moment. With internal cracks widening and accusations flying, unity now hangs in the balance. Whether the leadership can mend fences before 2027 remains to be seen. For now, Julius Abure holds the backing of the North Central zone — and the message to Obi and Otti is loud and clear: fall in line or risk splitting the house.
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