The Labour Party (LP) faction, led by the embattled former national chairman Julius Abure, has strongly urged Abia State Governor Alex Otti to cease claiming allegiance to the party. The faction has accused Governor Otti of actively collaborating with an “illegal caretaker committee” which is purportedly linked to an emerging opposition coalition anchored by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement released on Friday by its former National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Abure-led faction rejected Governor Otti’s assertions of remaining within the LP. The faction cited Governor Otti’s administration’s decision to conduct local council elections in Abia State under the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) as clear evidence of his defection. Abure stated, “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. 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.”

As a result of these alleged anti-party activities, the Abure faction confirmed that Governor Otti has been indefinitely suspended. The faction emphasized its core identity, stating, “We are a party driven by principle, youth engagement, and national purpose, not opportunism.” Abure reiterated that the Labour Party is currently undergoing a significant internal reshaping process in preparation for the 2027 general election. This restructuring aims to consolidate its ideological base and reorganize its leadership ranks. “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.

Furthermore, Abure firmly dismissed and rebuffed any rumors suggesting the Labour Party’s involvement in national coalition talks. He unequivocally declared, “Labour Party is not and will not be part of any so-called coalition.” He characterized such a coalition as merely a “marriage of political convenience lacking shared ideology or vision.” Regarding the caretaker committee aligned with the ADC-coalition, Abure described it as “part of a superficial, power-driven alliance, neither principled nor democratic.”