Factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has publicly called on Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to stop what he termed “deceptive claims” regarding his affiliation with the party. Abure urged the governor to openly align with the political coalition he is allegedly backing.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Abure accused Governor Otti of engaging in double standards—professing loyalty to the Labour Party while allegedly supporting an opposition-led coalition and an “illegal and unconstitutional caretaker committee”.
“Our attention has been drawn to Otti’s interview where he claimed he is still a member of the Labour Party. We are not going to fall for his deception again,” Abure said.
He questioned the governor’s sincerity, citing Otti’s decision to use the Zenith Labour Party platform during the last local government elections in Abia State.
“He formed and is funding the illegal caretaker committee that has now formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” Abure added.
The LP chairman also claimed that prominent figures within Otti’s political circle—such as the caretaker committee chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi—have aligned with the new coalition, making Otti’s claim of LP membership appear disingenuous.
“We are shocked that Otti is paradoxically trying to mislead Labour Party members by claiming continued membership. In any event, he was indefinitely suspended from the party due to his anti-party activities,” Abure stated.
He reaffirmed that under his leadership, the Labour Party is repositioning ahead of the 2027 general elections and intends to distance itself from individuals lacking party loyalty.
“Labour Party is on the move again. We have the best political brand in Nigeria, and we’re eager to engage young Nigerians who have the nation’s interest at heart,” he said.
Abure also dismissed the opposition coalition as an opportunistic alliance lacking ideological foundation.
“These so-called coalitions are selfish, opportunistic, and driven by power grabs, not principle. No true democrat would subscribe to such a political amalgam,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Abure advised Governor Otti to formally exit the Labour Party if he no longer shares its values.
“You cannot be in the Labour Party and work against it at the same time,” he asserted.
