Julius Abure warns Alex Otti to stay out of Labour Party affairs

The ongoing internal strife within the Labour Party took a new turn on Tuesday as the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, issued a stern warning to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State. Abure urged Otti to concentrate on his role in governance and refrain from meddling in the party’s administration.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Abure expressed deep frustration over the increasing challenges facing the party, not only from external critics but also from within its ranks. He emphasized that the involvement of party leaders, members, and stakeholders in disruptive actions only serves to exacerbate the situation.

The source of Abure’s displeasure was a recent meeting where Governor Otti allegedly declared his intent to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the end of August. During this meeting, Otti purportedly plans to dissolve various executive councils within the party, citing the expiration of their tenures.

However, Abure firmly rejected this proposal, stating that such actions are beyond Otti’s jurisdiction. He clarified that the authority to convene an NEC meeting and make decisions regarding party leadership rests solely with the National Chairman and the National Secretary.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) has taken note of these developments,” Abure said. “Even if we were to assume that the current NWC’s tenure has expired, it is not within the powers of Governor Otti to initiate the process of establishing a caretaker committee. That responsibility lies squarely with the party’s leadership.”

Abure went on to stress that any decision to challenge the leadership structure must be communicated officially by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He also urged party members, including Otti, to focus on their respective responsibilities and allow the party leadership to manage internal affairs without interference.

To address the situation, Abure announced that the NWC has formed a disciplinary committee to deal with any members or officials who attempt to undermine the party’s constitution or leadership directives. He made it clear that there is no leadership vacuum within the Labour Party, and any attempts to suggest otherwise would be met with firm disciplinary actions.

Abure also took the opportunity to highlight the unique structure of the Labour Party, noting that it is not a party controlled by any single individual or group. He pointed out that this inclusive nature allowed individuals like Otti to win elections under the Labour Party’s banner after previous unsuccessful attempts with other political parties.

Addressing Otti’s claims, Abure acknowledged that the governor’s stance might have been influenced by a misunderstanding of INEC’s position regarding the tenures of the current NWC and other party executives. He clarified that until recently, there had been no significant disputes between the Labour Party and INEC.

Abure further cautioned against any attempts to destabilize the party, particularly through misinformation about leadership tenure. He reminded party members that ongoing legal challenges related to the party’s national convention are still pending in court, and as such, the status quo must be maintained to avoid further complications.

In conclusion, Abure called on INEC to maintain its neutrality and continue working with the recognized leadership of the Labour Party. He reiterated the need for all party members to respect the party’s internal processes and focus on their primary responsibilities to serve the people.