The Labour Party in Abia State is on the verge of a major crisis, with reports indicating that two federal lawmakers are planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This development comes amidst deepening divisions within the party, following disputes over the nomination process for the upcoming local government elections on November 2, 2024.
Earlier reports suggested a potential wave of defections across the Abia State Labour Party, as Governor Otti’s preferred candidates began shifting allegiance to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The rift within the party has only worsened after the Appeal Court affirmed Julius Abure as the rightful National Chairman, a decision that has led Governor Otti to back his candidates through the ZLP, causing further unrest.
While some members, such as Ceekay Igara and Prince G. O. Ndubueze, have vowed to resist Otti’s efforts to impose candidates through the ZLP, others are reportedly preparing to leave the party. Sources suggest that two unnamed federal lawmakers are dissatisfied with the way the party handled the local government primary elections and are plotting to join the APC. Their defection could weaken the Labour Party’s hold in Abia, already strained by factional disputes between those loyal to Otti and those aligned with Abure.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, an APC member, has further fueled speculation of a potential defection. He has confidently predicted that the APC will take control of Abia in the 2027 elections, even encouraging Governor Otti to rejoin his former party.
As rumors of further defections swirl, the Labour Party faces the possibility of a larger exodus of members dissatisfied with the party’s internal management. The outcome of the November 2 local elections may significantly influence Abia’s political future, as the Labour Party grapples with its internal turmoil and attempts to maintain its dominance in the state.
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