In a new twist to the ongoing crisis within Nigeria’s Labour Party (Nigeria), the embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure, and the Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, have reportedly joined forces to orchestrate the removal of Governor Alex Oti from the party. The plot, allegedly driven by a series of accusations leveled against the Governor, comes amid mounting internal conflicts that are threatening to fracture the already divided party.
Sources close to the Abure-led faction have confirmed that this latest maneuver is rooted in suspicions that Gov Oti is working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lending his support to President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the context of the 2027 presidential election.
The core of the dispute centers around an allegation that Governor Oti, who is the only Labour Party governor in Nigeria, recently made a controversial statement suggesting that, in his bid for a second term, it would be only fair to support President Tinubu’s aspiration for a second tenure. This remark alleged to have made by Governor Oti
during a private visit to President Tinubu last week, has reportedly set off alarm bells within the Labour Party leadership, which perceives such sentiments as a betrayal of the party’s ideals and an overt attempt to align with the ruling APC.
In response, Abure and Obi, both of whom are reportedly displeased by Oti’s stance, are said to have united in an effort to expel him from the party in order to preserve its integrity and to prevent a potential defection. The dual was said to have also accused Governor Oti of using the formation of the Labour National Caretaker Committee as a gimmick, to deceive Mr Peter to support the removal of Mr Abure from office.
Sources from the Abure camp have disclosed that Peter Obi is expected to meet with the Abure led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party sometime within the week to finalize plans to rid the party of Oti. The meeting, which is expected to be high-stakes, will likely chart the next course of action, including formalizing plans to electronically register 20 million Labour Party Members and file charges of anti-party activities against the Governor.
This clandestine plot, however, appears to be part of a broader strategy to consolidate control over the party, as Abure and Obi are both keen to ensure that Oti’s alleged ties to the APC do not further jeopardize Labour Party’s future prospects. Interestingly, Abure had always maintained a public posture that
suggests he was in disagreements with Obi. However, facts have now emerged that proves positive, he has been working secretly with Peter Obi underground to relaunch the crisis ridden Labour Party for 2027 elections.
Governor Oti, on his part, has yet to publicly address the accusations leveled against him. However, sources within his camp suggest that he remains resolute in his stance, emphasizing that his comments about supporting President Tinubu for a second term were made in the interest of his own political future.
As a Governor seeking re-election, Oti reportedly believes that securing the support of the current administration is a pragmatic step to ensure his political survival, especially given the challenges he faces within his state and nationally. However, this political calculus has not gone down well with the leadership of the Labour Party, which views such gestures as a direct threat to its ideological foundation.
As the political drama unfolds, the question remains: will Governor Oti be able to weather the storm and retain his position as the only Labour Party Governor in Nigeria, or will Abure and Obi succeed in orchestrating his ouster? The coming days will be critical, and all eyes are now on the Labour Party’s National Working Committee and its
leadership to see how they handle this explosive crisis.
What is certain is that the future of the party, and of Governor Oti’s political career, hangs in the balance. If Governor Oti is truly working for President Tinubu’s reelection, will the President allow him to drown or would he come to Governor Oti’s rescue?
