Abure Hits Back: Suspends Otti, Others After Being Summoned by Nenadi Usman Panel

The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a dramatic turn as the Julius Abure-led faction of the party, which has continued to lay claim to the national leadership, announced the indefinite suspension of several top members, including Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and Senator Ireti Kingibe.

Other prominent figures suspended include Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi. The suspension was announced following the submission of a report by a disciplinary panel set up by the faction.

The panel, according to a statement signed by the factional National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, was established by the Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC) on May 2, 2025. It was tasked with investigating allegations of anti-party activities against Otti and others.

"Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect," the statement declared.

The suspended leaders, the statement added, will no longer act on behalf of the party in any capacity. Relevant institutions, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, National Assembly, INEC, and security agencies, were urged to take note of the decision.

Interestingly, the faction also took aim at Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairperson of the Labour Party caretaker committee installed by the opposing faction. The Abure-led faction declared that Usman was not a recognized member of the party and therefore could not be sanctioned.

"It will surprise Nigerians and party faithful that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members. First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman is not a card-carrying member of the Labour Party. She is a member of the Obidient support group that worked for the 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction," the statement added.

Furthermore, the faction accused Usman of hypocrisy and questioned her moral standing, citing her past corruption allegations and a reported plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The statement alleged: "Ms. Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption. Nigerians are already aware of her EFCC cases. She should come out and explain her plea bargain, her property forfeitures, radio station in Kaduna, properties across Nigeria and abroad, and companies in Cameroon."

This latest development comes barely a week after the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee announced the formation of a disciplinary panel chaired by Senator Ireti Kingibe, with Peter Ameh as secretary, to investigate Julius Abure for alleged corruption, misappropriation of party funds, and anti-party activities.

Abure was also summoned to appear before the panel to respond to petitions and charges brought against him. The Usman-led committee accused Abure of running the party as a personal enterprise and of hijacking its structures by failing to conduct congresses at all levels.

In response, the Abure-led group declared that the Labour Party's financial records were transparent and had been commended by INEC's external auditors. They insisted that the party would not enter into any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 elections, describing proponents of such moves as lacking in competence and integrity.

The Labour Party remains deeply divided, with both factions citing the April 4 Supreme Court judgment to justify their claims to leadership. While Abure's camp says the judgment validates his chairmanship, the Usman-led committee argues that it confirms the expiration of Abure's tenure.