The faction of the Labour Party loyal to Julius Abure says
it will not be part of any coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its national executive
council (NEC) meeting held on May 2 at the party’s national headquarters, the
faction said it would rather focus on rebuilding and strengthening its
structures.
The communiqué was signed by Abure and Farouk Ibrahim,
national secretary of the party.
“NEC declared that the party is not and will not be part of
any coalition towards the 2027 general election,” part of the communique reads.
“The party will rather continue to rebuild, reposition,
re-strategise, reconcile, strengthen, drive its programmes and policies, win
more members towards winning the 2027 general elections.”
The party reaffirmed the validity of the 2024 national
convention held in Nnewi on March 27, noting that the gathering followed due
process.
The faction said a notice for the convention was issued to
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on December 4, 2023, and
that changes in date and venue were also duly communicated.
The council ratified the list of ad-hoc delegates elected
across the 36 states and the FCT, a decision originally taken at its NEC
meeting in Asaba on March 20.
The party commended the supreme court for affirming the
supremacy of political parties and validating decisions taken by recognised
party organs in its April 4, 2025, ruling.
“NEC commends Nigeria’s apex court for standing on the sound
principle of the supremacy of political parties, and the sanctity and
bindingness of decisions taken by the validly convened recognised organs as
created by the party’s constitution,” the communique added.
The council reiterated support for the Abure-led national
working committee (NWC) and expressed confidence in its ability to “lead the
party to victory”.
The NEC also congratulated George Moghalu, who emerged as
the party’s governorship candidate in Anambra, and called on residents to back
him in the November 8 poll.
NEC extended an olive branch to aggrieved members and called
for reconciliation in the interest of the party and the nation.
The party announced the constitution of a five-member
disciplinary committee to investigate alleged anti-party activities by Alex
Otti, governor of Abia, and other erring members.
The panel is chaired by Ayo Olorunfemi and has Umar Farouk
Ibrahim as secretary, with Kehinde Edun, Dudu Manuga and Callistus Ihejiagwa as
members.
The committee has been given two weeks to submit its report.
On Friday, Otti said Abure is aware that his reign was over.
“When you go through the supreme court judgment, you will
know that Abure is just masturbating. He is out,” the Abia governor told Arise
TV.
