Labour Party leadership crisis deepens as Julius Abure rejects Alex Otti’s reconciliation move amid court appeals and INEC recognition

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, on Monday said the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee had rejected reconciliation efforts by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, insisting the Labour Party leadership crisis remains unresolved and subject to ongoing legal appeals.

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Obiora Ifoh, speaking in an exclusive interview, described the reconciliation call as insincere and premature, arguing that a court of first instance had ruled and that the matter was now before an appellate court.

Obiora Ifoh said Dr Alex Otti bore responsibility for the divisions within the party and dismissed the governor’s appeal as a “pyrrhic victory” that would fade once the legal process concludes.

The rejection came hours after Dr Alex Otti, in Abuja, expressed regret over the exit of former presidential candidate Peter Obi and announced plans to set up a reconciliation committee following a meeting with members of the party’s Board of Trustees, leaders of the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

Dr Alex Otti said the interim leadership would determine the timing for reconciliation and appealed to Julius Abure and his team to return to the party if they abide by its rules.

The development follows the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, a move earlier criticised by the Abure faction as hasty and prejudicial.

Dr Alex Otti also said the party would not participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory council elections and ruled out joining any external opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing Labour as a coalition of workers and progressive Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Labour Party’s Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration, Marcel Ngogbehei, accused Dr Alex Otti and Peter Obi of failing to manage the aftermath of the 2023 elections in a way that strengthened party structures.

Marcel Ngogbehei said the sponsorship of a caretaker committee in Abia State deepened factional divisions, multiplied court cases and accelerated legal disputes within the party.

Marcel Ngogbehei also criticised Peter Obi for not intervening decisively to reconcile the factions, warning that the ruling All Progressives Congress stands to benefit from opposition disunity ahead of 2027.

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Despite reconciliation overtures from the Otti camp, the firm rejection by the Abure faction underscores the depth of the Labour Party leadership crisis, with further legal and political battles looming as stakeholders await the outcome of appeals.