The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has distanced itself from a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in Umuahia on Wednesday. During the meeting, former Minister Nenadi Usman was named chairman of a 29-member caretaker committee, with Senator Darlington Nwokocha as secretary. The committee was tasked with overseeing the party’s leadership election in 90 days.
In a swift response, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement rejecting the gathering, labeling it as illegal and urging Nigerians to disregard its outcome. According to Abure, the meeting was not sanctioned by the party and therefore does not reflect its official stance or interests.
The statement criticized the basis of Otti’s actions, asserting that the governor lacked constitutional authority within the party to convene such a meeting. Abure also questioned the legitimacy of Usman’s appointment, highlighting that she is not a registered party member.
“The so-called caretaker committee is not recognized by our party’s constitution and is merely an extension of the Abia State Government,” the statement read. Abure further challenged Otti to produce any formal communication from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the national convention, dismissing the governor’s efforts as a “charade.”
