The Labour Party (LP) faction, led by its embattled former national chairman Julius Abure, has issued a stern admonition to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, urging him to cease claiming loyalty to the party. Abure’s faction accuses Governor Otti of actively collaborating with an “illegal caretaker committee” that is purportedly linked to an emerging opposition coalition anchored by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This accusation came to light in a statement released on Friday by Obiora Ifoh, the former National Publicity Secretary for Abure’s faction, firmly dismissing Governor Otti’s assertions of continued allegiance to the Labour Party.

According to Abure, the most definitive evidence of Governor Otti’s alleged defection is his administration’s decision to conduct local council elections in Abia State under the banner of the Zenith Labour Party. Abure vehemently questioned Otti’s purported loyalty, stating, “How can he claim to be in Labour Party when he conducted local government elections in Abia under the Zenith Labour Party? He formed, funds, and controls the illegal caretaker committee aligned with the ADC-led coalition.” Abure’s statement underscores a clear ultimatum for the governor, asserting, “Dr. Alex Otti cannot be in Labour Party and simultaneously work against it. It’s time for him to pick a side and leave ours.” Consequently, the faction declared that Governor Otti has been indefinitely suspended from the party due to his anti-party actions.

Abure reiterated the Labour Party’s commitment to its foundational principles, emphasizing its identity as a party driven by principle, youth engagement, and a national purpose, explicitly rejecting opportunism. He highlighted the party’s ongoing efforts towards a significant internal reshaping in anticipation of the 2027 general election. This restructuring is primarily focused on consolidating its core ideological base and reorganizing its leadership ranks to foster a team deeply committed to the Nigerian populace. “Labour Party cannot house individuals whose interests are self-serving. We are cleaning our house and building a team rooted in commitment to Nigerians, not political maneuvering,” Abure added, stressing the party’s dedication to internal integrity.

Furthermore, Abure firmly rebuffed any speculation about the Labour Party’s involvement in ongoing national coalition talks. He unequivocally declared, “Labour Party is not and will not be part of any so-called coalition.” He characterized such alliances as a “marriage of political convenience lacking shared ideology or vision,” dismissing them as superficial and driven purely by power rather than principled democratic values. Specifically addressing the caretaker committee allied with the ADC-coalition, Abure described it as “part of a superficial, power-driven alliance, neither principled nor democratic,” reinforcing the LP faction’s stance against what it perceives as unprincipled political maneuvering.