The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has expressed confidence that the internal disputes within the party will be resolved well before the 2027 general elections. Abure voiced his willingness to reconcile with key party figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, 2023 LP presidential candidate Peter Obi, and other aggrieved party members.
Abure’s remarks were made in a statement from the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, following a press interaction at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja. The event coincided with a meeting between INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and national chairpersons of Nigerian political parties.
The LP Chairman also addressed rumors of a deepening rift between himself and the camps of Obi and Otti, denying any truth to the claims. His comments come in the wake of a Court of Appeal judgment that reaffirmed his position as the rightful National Chairman of the Labour Party, nullifying the LP Caretaker Committee led by Nenadi Usman, which had been set up by Obi and Otti’s factions.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling has sparked further tensions, with the Usman-led caretaker committee heading to the Supreme Court, prolonging the party’s internal conflicts. Despite this, Abure maintained that there was no animosity between him and the aggrieved factions, stressing that the issues within the party were nothing more than “family squabbles” that would be amicably resolved.
Abure further emphasized that the interests of the party and Nigeria should take precedence over personal differences. “I want to say essentially that what we have are just squabbles within the party. For me, there are no hard feelings,” he remarked, urging all aggrieved party members to come together and work towards the collective good of the Labour Party and the nation.
When asked about the possibility of resolving these differences before the 2027 election campaigns, Abure expressed optimism, stating that such issues are typical in any political party and can serve to strengthen the party. He emphasized that internal conflicts, while challenging, are an essential part of deepening democracy.
“I believe that soon, all our differences will be put aside, and we will speak with one voice, coming out stronger and more effective in the political space,” Abure stated. “There is no political party without some differences; it is a game of interests, and there will always be conflicting interests in every political environment. I believe we will come out better and stronger.”
Abure’s call for unity comes shortly after the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, established by Obi and Otti, announced plans to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgment, signaling a continued battle within the party’s leadership. Despite the ongoing legal tensions, Abure remains optimistic that the Labour Party will overcome its internal challenges and emerge more unified ahead of future elections.
