LP Caretaker Committee Sets Up Panel to Probe Abure’s Anti-party Activities, Financial Crimes

•Says caretaker studying coalition processes for good of party, Nigerians  

•Passes confidence vote on Obi, Otti

•Embattled chair’s faction slams indefinite suspension on Otti, Nwokocha, Kingibe, Sowumi, Ogah

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The leadership crisis rocking Labour Party (LP) is not abating, as the national caretaker committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, yesterday, set up a disciplinary panel to investigate the factional chairman, Julius Abure, for multiple allegations, including anti-party activities.

The panel headed by Senator Ireti Kingibe had 21 days to submit its report.

That was as the national caretaker committee passed a vote of confidence on its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti.

The national caretaker committee said, contrary to claims by the Abure faction that LP was not part of the ongoing coalition plan by political parties against All Progressives Congress (APC), the party was studying the coalition structures and processes to determine its value for Nigeria and Nigerians.

But in a pushback, the Abure faction announced the suspension of Otti, Kingibe, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, among others.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Wednesday, Usman, said, “After a careful and comprehensive review of the Supreme Court judgement delivered on Friday, April 4, 2025, the National Executive Council (NEC) is deeply concerned by the subsequent actions of Barr. Julius Abure, particularly his continued impersonation of the esteemed office of the national chairman of the Labour Party.

‘’These actions have not only violated the spirit and letter of the law but have also brought the image and integrity of our great party into disrepute. In the exercise of its constitutional mandate and in strict accordance with the disciplinary provisions of the Labour Party Constitution 2019 (As Amended), the NEC, in session, hereby announces the commencement of disciplinary actions against Mr. Abure.

“These actions have started with the constitution of a special investigative committee to review the actions of Mr. Abure as it affects the image and integrity of the party.

“In line with due process and the party constitution, NEC gives Mr. Abure 48 hours’ notice to show why disciplinary actions would not be taken against him for his numerous acts of misconduct against the party. The formal notice of disciplinary actions will be sent to the last known address of Barr. Julius Abure.”

The national caretaker committee chair added, “Mr. Abure is hereby warned to desist from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party or impersonating the office in any form. The apex court of the land has clearly and finally nullified his claim to leadership, and his tenure has long expired by the passage of time. His continuing acts of reckless denigration of party leadership and open war against the party will attract severe sanctions.

“Rather than drag the image of the party into further disrepute, Mr. Abure is advised to deploy his time and attention to addressing the serious allegations of corruption, forgery, perjury, and criminal conspiracy pending against him.”

However, the Abure faction, in a statement by the factional secretary, Umar Farouk, slammed an indefinite suspension on Otti, Nwokocha, Kingibe, Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, and Amobi Ogah

Farouk stated, “The disciplinary committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership.

“The national executive of the party met today, May 7, 2025, and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the party constitution, has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the disciplinary committee.

“Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect.

“Those suspended are the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.”

The party added, “By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, INEC, and security agencies, among others, are to take note.”

Farouk explained, “It will surprise Nigerians and party faithful that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party. First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party, being not a card carrying member of the party.

“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will, therefore, not honour her with any sanction, being not a member of the party.

“Again, we are aware that Ms Usman recently, in a well-televised occasion, in cohort with a former Kaduna State governor, joined another political party, where she pledged loyalty to the party. We are clearly confused where Usman Nenadi’s loyalty lies.

‘’The party leadership is also surprised that Nenadi Usman is talking about corruption when, indeed, she is the head mistress of corruption. Nigerians are already aware of all the EFCC cases against her and we expect Ms Usman to come out and explain to Nigerians the story behind her plea bargain with EFCC and all the properties she allegedly forfeited.

“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations.

“Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption.”

On financial allegations against the Abure group, Farouk said, “In any event, the party’s financial records are straight and it will interest the members of the public to know that the party’s audited account has been published.

“INEC, being the regulatory body, sent their external auditors to audit the party’s account and they gave a clean report and as well commended the party for its financial transparency. It is on record that among the comity of political parties in Nigeria, Labour Party financial records was adjudged to be among the best.”