A faction of the Labour Party (LP) loyal to Julius Abure has declared that former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State governor Alex Otti are the “biggest losers” in the ongoing by-election disputes, while dismissing reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn recognition from Abure as the party’s National Chairman.
Some reports had claimed that INEC, citing a Supreme Court ruling delivered in April 2025, asked Abure to stop parading himself as chairman since his tenure expired in June 2024.
However, in a statement on Saturday, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described the reports as “mischief and propaganda” allegedly sponsored by Senator Nenadi Usman’s faction. He insisted the courts had not declared Abure unfit to lead the party.
According to Ifoh, two cases were dismissed on Friday — one filed by Usman’s camp and another by Abure’s group. While Usman’s case was struck out for lack of competence, Abure’s suit was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds, with the court affirming that leadership disputes are internal party matters.
“The Supreme Court never said Abure was not chairman. It only reinforced that internal party issues should be resolved within the party,” Ifoh stated.
He criticised Usman’s faction for what he called “juvenile jubilation,” arguing that their actions undermine the LP and only benefit the opposition.
“It is unfortunate they are celebrating that the Labour Party has no candidate in the bye-election. Who benefits from this? Are Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti not the actual losers here?” he asked.
The faction further accused INEC of bias, noting that its attempts to challenge Abure’s tenure had been dismissed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
It also cited a July 23, 2025, interlocutory order from the Nasarawa State High Court, directing INEC to continue recognising Abure and Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the party’s authentic leaders until the substantive suit is resolved.
The statement urged Nigerians to resist “desperate efforts” to sideline the LP from democratic participation, while reassuring members that Abure’s leadership remains intact despite the ongoing crisis.
