Governor Alex Otti of Abia State may face a significant political setback in the upcoming local government elections, as internal wrangling within the Labour Party (LP) threatens his control of the party’s grassroots structure in his State.
Following a recent Federal High Court decision reinstating Julius Abure as National Chairman of the LP, Otti’s faction risks losing its grip on the local government structure in Abia State ahead of the scheduled November 4 LG polls in the state.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, upheld Abure’s leadership of the party and his re-election as national chairman during the party’s National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The convention had re-elected Abure for a second term, solidifying his position as the legally recognized National Chairman of the party.
The ruling poses serious implications for Otti and other key Labour Party leaders, including the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who have been opposed to Abure’s continued leadership of the party.
Gov Otti and Obi, and other stakeholders had formed a parallel leadership structure, appointing former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman as Chairperson of a Caretaker Committee intended to steer the affairs of the party.
However, with Abure’s position reaffirmed by the court, his faction now holds the upper hand in the party, which could undermine Otti’s control over the Labour Party at the local government level in Abia State.
In a strategic move to consolidate its grip on the party, Abure’s faction submitted a list of chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the 2024 local government elections to the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) on October 4, 2024.
The list, which included names of candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries, was formally transmitted through a letter signed by Hon. Ceekay Igara, Chairman of the Abia State Local Government Chairmanship and Councillorship Election Committee, and Prince G.O. Ndubueze, the committee’s Secretary.
However, the Otti/Obi-backed Nenadi Usman, Chairperson of the LP Caretaker Committee, has expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling and vowed to challenge the decision.
In a statement following consultations with key party leaders, including Peter Obi, Governor Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Usman confirmed the faction’s plans to appeal.
“This evening, I met with His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee).
“We deliberated on the judgment passed today. The case actually preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee. However, after being briefed, the Caretaker Committee decided to join the case.
“Consequently, we have resolved to appeal the judgment accordingly,” Usman stated.
Analysts contend that the conflict within the Labour Party has created a dilemma for Governor Otti, who faces losing significant political capital at the local government level in his state, unless the Federal High Court judgment is overturned by the Appellate Court.
Otti’s faction’s candidates, who were backed by the Caretaker Committee, now face an uphill battle as their legitimacy could be called into question by Abure’s court-backed faction.
For Peter Obi, the battle over the Labour Party’s leadership also holds high stakes. As the party’s 2023 presidential candidate and a prominent figure within the faction opposed to Abure, Obi’s influence within the party is closely tied to the success and legality of the Caretaker Committee.
A loss of control at the local government level in a key state like Abia could weaken the broader opposition to Abure’s leadership and disrupt Labour Party’s efforts to unify ahead of future elections.
The ongoing legal and political tug-of-war within the Labour Party has exacerbated internal divisions. While Abure’s faction appears to be gaining the upper hand legally, the Caretaker Committee is not backing down.
Senator Nenadi Usman has called for restraint among party members and emphasized the importance of maintaining unity in the face of these challenges.
“Members of the Labour Party (LP) should exercise restraint and promote harmony amidst the ongoing reconciliation efforts to foster unity and stability in the party,” Usman urged.
The future of the Labour Party, particularly in Abia State, remains uncertain as both factions continue to battle for control. With Abure’s faction poised to dominate the upcoming local elections and Otti’s camp preparing for a legal showdown, the stakes are higher than ever for the party’s future direction.
