The Labour Party is currently embroiled in internal strife as factions loyal to the party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the National Chairman, Julius Abure, have convened separate National Executive Council (NEC) meetings, leading to a deepening crisis within the party. This division has resulted in a series of accusations and counter-accusations between the two camps, each questioning the legitimacy and authority of the other's actions.
Peter Obi's faction has raised concerns over Abure's leadership, alleging instances of financial mismanagement and unilateral decision-making that, they claim, have sidelined key stakeholders and undermined the party's democratic processes. These grievances culminated in a stakeholders' meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State, convened by Governor Alex Otti and attended by prominent party members, including Obi. During this meeting, a 29-member caretaker committee was established to oversee the party's affairs and organize congresses at all levels within a 90-day timeframe. The committee is chaired by former Finance Minister, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, with Hon. Darlington Nwokocha serving as secretary.
Conversely, Abure's supporters have rejected the formation of the caretaker committee, labeling it as unconstitutional and a blatant overreach of authority. In a statement issued by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, Abure asserted that he remains the legitimate chairman of the party and that the actions taken in Umuahia lack legal standing. He criticized Governor Otti and others involved, stating that they have no power within the party's constitution or under Nigerian law to convene such a meeting or make decisions that alter the party's leadership structure.
The parallel NEC meetings and the establishment of competing leadership structures have raised concerns among party members and political analysts about the potential impact on the Labour Party's cohesion and its future electoral prospects. There are fears that unless reconciliatory measures are taken promptly, this schism could weaken the party's position as a formidable opposition force in the Nigerian political landscape. Efforts are underway by various stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to mediate between the factions and restore unity within the party.