LP crisis: Nenadi Usman-led NCC gives Abure 48 hours to stop parading self as chairman

One week after the leadership of the Labour Party (LP) under Mr Julius Abure appointed a disciplinary committee to investigate alleged anti-party activities by the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the LP has also named a panel to probe Abure’s tenure as National Chairman.

The NCC, led by a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, is aligned with the camp of Otti and Obi.

The NCC has also given Abure 48 hours to stop “parading” himself as the chairman of the LP, arguing that his tenure has lapsed.

He is required to show cause as to why he should not be sanctioned for insisting that he remains the party’s national chairman.

The Nenadi Usman-led NCC addressed a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday to react to what it described as the “excesses of Abure,” vowing to prevent his alleged bid to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former minister, who read the press conference statement, noted that following the Supreme Court’s judgment on 4 April 2025, which ended Abure’s tenure, it had been expected that the factional chairman would act more maturely by embracing reconciliation with the current NCC to rebuild the party.

She expressed surprise that, rather than uniting with the party leadership to strategise as one body, Abure had opted to continue presenting himself as chairman while discrediting key party figures such as Otti and Obi.

Usman stated, “After a careful and comprehensive review of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on Friday, 4 April 2025, the National Executive Council (NEC) is deeply concerned by the subsequent actions of Barr. Julius Abure, particularly his continued impersonation of the esteemed office of the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

“These actions have not only violated the spirit and letter of the law but have also tarnished the image and integrity of our great party.

“In the exercise of its constitutional mandate and in strict accordance with the disciplinary provisions of the Labour Party Constitution 2019 (As Amended), the NEC, in session, hereby announces the commencement of disciplinary actions against Mr Abure. These actions begin with the constitution of a special investigative committee to review Mr Abure’s conduct as it affects the party’s image and integrity.

“In line with due process and the party constitution, the NEC gives Mr Abure 48 hours to show why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his numerous acts of misconduct against the party.

“The formal notice of disciplinary action will be sent to the last known address of Barr. Julius Abure.

“Mr Abure is hereby warned to desist from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party or impersonating the office in any form. The apex court of the land has clearly and finally nullified his claim to leadership, and his tenure has long expired.

“His continued acts of reckless denigration of party leadership and open hostility towards the party will attract severe sanctions.”

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She recalled that the Supreme Court had resolved the leadership crisis, stating, “On 4 April 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a final and binding judgment. It upheld the appeal by Sen. Nenadi Usman’s Caretaker Committee.

“It dismissed Abure’s cross-appeal; set aside the decisions of the lower courts recognising Abure; and ruled that party leaders must humbly vacate office upon the expiration of their tenure.”

The Usman-led NCC reiterated a portion of the apex court’s judgment, which it insists definitively ended Abure’s tenure.

Quoting Justice John Inyang Okoro, Usman said, “The decisions of the trial court and the court below, recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the first respondent (LP), are hereby set aside.”

Further dismissing Abure, the Nenadi Usman-led NCC passed a vote of confidence in both Otti and Obi.

She stated, **“The Labour Party stands united, disciplined, and reinvigorated under my leadership, supported by all members of the party. We will no longer tolerate impunity, illegality, or personal ambition above Party interest.

“We reaffirm our commitment to rebuilding the Labour Party as a true vehicle for national transformation. The journey to the limitless possibilities of a new Nigeria continues, and we invite every Nigerian of conscience, including some of our members on the other side, to join us.

“We call on all Labour Party members across Nigeria, irrespective of past disagreements or affiliations, to continue to support the current leadership and refuse to be demonised by Abure, who has played his last card and is just clutching at straws.”**

Meanwhile, soon after the Usman-led NCC concluded its press conference, the Abure-led NWC announced the suspension of Gov Otti and five other members of the Labour Party.

The five others are Sen. Ireti Kingibe, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.

The NWC stated that their suspension followed the ratification of the recommendations of the disciplinary committee set up on 2 May to investigate the members’ alleged anti-party activities.

**“By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party.

“All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note,”** the faction said in a statement issued by the National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim.

The Abure-led NWC expressed surprise that the Usman-led NCC was investigating corruption while Usman herself had pending cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It also claimed that Usman is not recognised as a member of the Labour Party.

The faction further stated, “It will surprise Nigerians and party faithful that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party. First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party, being not a card carrying member of the Party.

“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction, being not a member of the party.

“Again, we are aware that Ms. Usman, recently, in a well-televised occasion, in cohort with a former Kaduna state governor joined another political party where she pledged loyalty to the party. We are clearly confused where Usman Nenadi’s loyalty lies.”**

The group added, **“The party leadership is also surprised that Nenadi Usman is talking about corruption when indeed she is the headmistress of corruption.

“Nigerians are already aware of all the EFCC cases against her and we expect Ms Usman to come out and explain to Nigerians the story behind her plea bargain with EFCC and all the properties she allegedly forfeited. She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations.

“Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption.”

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