The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) has escalated with the recent appointment of an interim leadership, which has led to fresh disputes. On Wednesday, Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State announced the formation of an interim leadership team to replace Julius Abure’s leadership.
The interim committee is chaired by former Finance Minister Nanedi Usman, with Senator Darlington Nwokocha serving as interim Secretary. This committee has been tasked with organizing congresses and a national convention within 90 days to elect new party leaders.
In response, Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), has dismissed the interim committee as unauthorized. He argues that the appointment was conducted without constitutional authority, asserting that Abure’s tenure was validated by a National Convention held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Ifoh emphasized that Article 11 of the LP Constitution does not recognize an “expanded stakeholders’ meeting” as a legitimate organ for appointing party leaders. He indicated that the Abure-led NWC plans to challenge the interim leadership’s legitimacy in court.
Sources within the party suggest that senior lawyers are preparing to challenge the legitimacy of the interim committee, questioning whether the party’s constitutional processes for leadership changes were followed. The legal battle will likely address whether the interim body’s formation violated the party’s constitution and whether the existing NWC’s tenure remains valid.
Despite the opposition from the Abure faction, other stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission-led LP Transition Committee, have expressed support for the Obi/Otti-led initiative. They have recommended that the interim leadership expand its membership to include more stakeholders for a comprehensive approach to managing the party’s affairs.
As the dispute unfolds, the LP faces significant internal divisions that could impact its strategy and cohesion leading up to the 2027 general elections.
