Labour Party’s internal conflicts are escalating as Peter Obi and Abia Governor Alex Otti on Wednesday, proceeded with their National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting despite Julius Abure’s warning of sanctions.
Abure’s faction had threatened to take disciplinary action against Obi and Otti for holding the meeting, deeming it a breach of party regulations.
The rift within the Labour Party stems from Abure’s leadership, with some members questioning his legitimacy. Obi and Otti’s camp maintains that their meeting is legitimate, while Abure’s faction insists that it undermines the party’s hierarchy.
The Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, and Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, have confirmed that the meeting will proceed as planned. Ndubuaku dismissed speculations of a postponement, describing them as “nonsense” and “theatre of the absurd.”
Ibrahim also dispelled insinuations that Obi and Otti had chickened out, stating that all invited stakeholders are ready to attend the meeting.
When asked about the threat of sanctions, Ibrahim declined to comment, saying, “We don’t want any drama with the Labour Party or join issues with members of the party.”
The Labour Party’s internal conflicts may have far-reaching consequences for the party’s future and Nigeria’s political landscape. The situation remains fluid, with both sides digging in for a potentially long and contentious battle.