Crack In LP Widens As Obi’s VP Identifies With Abure Faction

The Barr Julius Abure led faction of the Labour Party, LP, held its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting with the party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed and other top notches in attendance.

Also in attendance at the meeting held held on Monday at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja were the factional National Chairman, Barr Julius Abure; National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk; National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh; National Youth Leader, Ken Ahanotu; and party state chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, including other co-opted members of the National Executive Council as provided by Article 13 (A) of the Party Constitution.

Abure in his remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to defending integrity and ideals of the party.

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The party’s NEC, in its resolutions after reviewing the purported NEC meeting held at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja on Friday, 18th July 2025, condemned the conveners of the meetings and ddisassociated itself from the outcome of the so-called NEC meeting where they renamed their illegal Caretaker Committee set up in Umuahia last year as Interim National Working Committee, INWC.

It noted that, “no matter how illegality is decorated, it can not be legal; renaming the Caretaker Committee, Interim NWC does not remove its illegality.

“This sitting contravenes the Party’s Constitution. Article 14 (4) (B), which gives powers to call meetings, only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman.

“The meeting also, contravenes the provisions of Section 82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides as follows: 82 (1) Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any Convention, Congress, Conference or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘’merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies, or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this Act. Such notice must be given by the National Chairman and Secretary of the Party.

“The Commission may, with or without prior notice to the political party attend and observe any convention, congress, conference or meeting which is convened by a political party for the purpose of (a) electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies.”

The NEC consequently, disassociated itself from the meeting and its outcomes, further noting that there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Party.

“The Party has conducted its National Convention in line with the party Constitution, the Electoral Act and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 27th March, 2024 at Nnewi Anambra State which has been validated by the Supreme Court in its Judgment of the 4th April 2025.

“Consequently, NEC in session therefore, calls on the Independendent National Election Commission, INEC, chairman Prof Mamoud Yakubu to comply with the Supreme Court Judgment, all the legal and other opinions before him.”

The NEC, on the bases of the above, called on all teeming members, supporters, and members of the general public to kindly, disregard the so-called meeting and its outcome, passing a vite of confidence on the leadership of Barr Julius Abure led National Working Committee, NWC, urging all party members to continue, respecting leadership of the party and obey its lawful directives.

NEC in session also approved the conduct of State, Local Government, and Ward Congress as may be scheduled by the National Working Committee in line with the party’s Constitution and other Extant laws, reiterating that the Party will not be part of any coalition for the 2027 general election.

“NEC believes that the coalition of 2023 is bigger than any other coalition. we will therefore rebuild, reconcile, and consolidate the gains of the 2023 general election.

“Labour Party is distinct in terms of its ideology, programs, philosophy, and manifestos, which has the answers to the socio-economic challenges in Nigeria. We can therefore, not be tempted by joining any politically, spent forces that have hitherto, squandered the resources and opportunity of the Nation.”

It also, commends Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed for identifying with the leadership and declaring his interest for the 2027 general election.