Julius Abure, the troubled national chairman of the Labour Party, has declared that the party’s presidential nomination for the forthcoming 2027 election is no longer limited to former candidate Peter Obi.
During a press conference following the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, Abure stated that the presidential ticket for2027 is now available to all party members. He noted, “NEC in session also reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti, respectively. “Consequently, all party tickets from the Presidency to the House of Assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”
Furthermore, Abure dismissed the notion of an automatic second-term nomination for the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, highlighting that the position would be accessible to other candidates. The chairman asserted that the Abia governor lacked the authority to call a stakeholders’ meeting which led to a caretaker committee being formed, headed by former Senator Nenadi Usman. He mentioned, “The NEC in session noted that the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Alex Otti, who convened the meeting, did not have the power within the Party’s Constitution as provided in Article14 (4) (B) gives the power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman. “NEC in session further reiterates that the Governor of Abia State does not even have the power to call his Ward Executive meeting without the approval and the consent of his Ward Chairman.”
He continued by stating that the gathering contradicts Section82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act2022, which stipulates:82 (1) Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least21 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.
Additionally, Abure asserted that no governor could intimidate their committee out of office, claiming that such a figure cannot dissolve the National Working Committee, state councils, or local government councils. He declared, “No governor that we gave ticket can harass us out of office; no governor, no matter how highly placed, will come and with a fiat, dissolve the NWC, dissolve state councils, or dissolve LG councils; even a military government would not do that. The mandate given to me and my team as leaders of the Labour Party at the convention of the party held on the27th day of March2024, will be defended.”
Stressing the urgency of the current situation for the party, Abure remarked that recent developments have indicated that those who should be allies in striving for a better, well-organized, and cohesive party have opted for a different route. “A path not of unity, but of division. I speak, of course, of the illegal gathering that took place in Abia State, an attempt to create a rift within our party, led by none other than His Excellency Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti. This meeting, held without the authority or consent of the National Executive Council, sought to install a so-called ‘new leadership.’”
He concluded by emphasizing, “Let me be clear: this action was not just illegal. It was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for. A reward for loyalty with ingratitude, a reward for support with insubordination.”
