- Attacks Abure Over Suspension Of Otti, Kingibe, Others
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Lawmakers elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives have thrown their weight behind the Nnenadi Usman caretaker committee in the ongoing tussle for leadership in the party.
The lawmakers’ stance implies that they are supporting the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, who are prominent supporters of the committee.
The legislators described the recent suspension of members by the Julius Abure-led faction as fake.
They made their position known in a statement issued on Friday and signed by Ogene, Sowunmi, and Ogah.
According to the statement, the lawmakers described the suspension as not just “laughable” but also a desperate attempt by Abure to cling to power.
The legislators claimed that instead of working to improve the party’s fortunes, Abure is focused on orchestrating its disintegration.
“It’s utterly absurd that Abure, who failed to demonstrate moral integrity during his tenure as national chairman, now claims the authority to sanction party leaders,” the statement reads.
“Only in Abure’s distorted reality can those with questionable character judge others. In the real world, his Suprem Court-nullified leadership status has reduced him to a self-serving, shameless impostor driven by personal gain.
“A political party is set up for the specific goal of participating in the democratic process, especially the contestation for power.
“Since the Peter Obi effect of 2023, what has Abure and his gang of undertakers done to enhance the party’s fortunes?
“In fact, we challenge him and his cohorts to name one single individual of note that they have attracted to the party since 2023.
“From Kogi to Bayelsa, Ondo to Edo, what Abure has done is lead the Party to disastrous outcomes.
“Pained of being kicked out of his lucrative position as national chairman, on account of abuse of official malfeasance, Abure and his gang of jesters have resorted to desperate antics in a bid to stay relevant.
“Which self-respecting national chairman of a political party busies himself running around media houses like a press boy?
“The last time around, it was announcing the sack and replacement of Hon. Ogene as caucus leader, but when that didn’t work, he has resorted to contriving a fake suspension order.”
Recall that the LP has been embroiled in a protracted leadership dispute pitting Abure and his supporters against the caretaker committee headed by Nenadi Usman.
In April, the Supreme Court ruled that the court of appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce Abure chairman of the LP.
But instead of the apex court’s ruling to lay the matter to rest, it has apparently complicated it as various interpretations have been given to the court’s pronouncement with each faction claiming victory.
To further worsen the situation, Lamidi Apapa, in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict, surfaced from relative obscurity to join the fray by also laying claim to the chairmanship of the party.
The Abure-led faction had earlier suspended Afam Ogene, the leader of the LP caucus in the green chamber, over alleged “dereliction of duty”, and appointed Ben Etanabene as his replacement.
However, on Wednesday things took a turn for the worse when the Abure faction also indefinitely suspended Otti, Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT); Darlington Nwokocha, Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi, from the party.
Meanwhile, not taking the suspension lying down, Otti in a swift reaction, on Thursday, asked Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to arrest Abure over alleged impersonation.
