Gov. Alex Otti Urges Unity in Labour Party, Backs Supreme Court-Recognised Leadership

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has called for unity within the Labour Party (LP) amid its ongoing leadership crisis, urging members to rally behind the Senator Nenadi Usman-led leadership, as affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Otti made the appeal on Friday during the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, which was attended by key figures including the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero.

The meeting followed the Supreme Court’s judgement, which declared that Senator Usman Nenadi is the recognised National Chairman of the Labour Party, nullifying the claim of Julius Abure to the position.

Governor Otti, the LP’s only serving governor, stressed the importance of respecting the apex court’s ruling and beginning a structured reconciliation and rebuilding process within the party.

“As law-abiding citizens, we believe in obeying the judgment of the Supreme Court. This meeting marks the beginning of a structured process, starting with the formalisation of key committees, including the interim National Working Committee, which will oversee party affairs until the convention for electing a new NEC,” Otti said.

The governor expressed appreciation to the NLC for birthing the Labour Party, but noted that the party has since grown beyond the union and now has a broader national outlook. He urged all members, including the Abure-led faction, to show humility and put the party’s interests above personal ambition.

“The Labour Party has evolved into a national political force. It is now bigger than any single group or individual. We must work in unity to sustain and grow this momentum,” he added.

In his remarks, NLC President Joe Ajaero reiterated that the Labour Party was founded to serve the interests of the ordinary Nigerian. He cautioned against disloyalty and internal sabotage, warning that those who distance themselves from the labour movement cannot lay claim to the party’s leadership.

“This party belongs to the Nigerian workers. Anyone who does not align with us and the broader labour movement but claims to be a leader is living in illusion. When the time comes, we will disown them,” Ajaero said.

The Labour Party has been embroiled in a bitter leadership tussle, with the Abure-led faction refusing to recognise the authority of the Nenadi-led Caretaker Committee, backed by 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, Governor Otti, and other elected LP officials.

In April, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous judgement via a five-member panel, stating that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to declare Abure as National Chairman, noting that party leadership is an internal affair beyond the scope of judicial intervention.

The court also noted that Abure’s tenure had expired, allowing the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi while dismissing a cross-appeal by Abure’s camp as lacking merit.

The NEC meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to restructuring the party, strengthening democratic processes, and preparing for the party’s next national convention.