Abure Fires House Leader, Threatens Peter Obi and Otti with Sanctions 

The crisis rocking the Labour Party took a fiery new turn on Monday as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), led by Julius Abure, announced the removal of Hon. Afam Ogene as the party’s leader in the House of Representatives, accusing him of anti-party activities.

The NEC also warned of disciplinary action against 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti if they proceed with their scheduled stakeholders’ engagement on Wednesday—an event the party considers unauthorized and divisive.

This dramatic development was revealed by the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk, who read the communique at the NEC meeting held at the party’s Abuja headquarters.

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Interestingly, Obi and Otti had also summoned a parallel NEC meeting scheduled for Wednesday—just hours after Abure’s invite—raising tensions within the party. Their notice, signed by Obi’s spokesman, detailed plans for a town hall with key stakeholders, including senators, House members, and candidates from the 2023 elections.

Security presence around the Labour Party secretariat was heavy, with three police vans and dozens of suspected thugs spotted near the venue of the Abure-led NEC meeting.

After the meeting, Farouk dropped the bombshell: Ogene was sacked as House Caucus Leader for failing to represent the party’s voice effectively and for lacking unity among LP members in the House. He was replaced with Hon. Ben Etanabene.

Ogene’s real sin, however, may have been his open endorsement of the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee and his support for a proposed stakeholders’ meeting to resolve internal conflicts. He accused Abure’s leadership of being vindictive and undemocratic for opposing the initiative.

The NEC also demanded Ogene return all party property and funds in his custody and mandated the party’s working committee to notify relevant authorities about his dismissal.

Farouk further hinted that Obi and Otti could face similar consequences if they continue to act outside party rules. Although no specific sanctions were named, insiders suggest suspension from the party is on the table.

The NEC communique directly accused Governor Otti of using another political platform to conduct LGA elections and working to divide the party, alleging he plans to defect before the 2027 elections. It also warned Obi to steer clear of activities that could destabilize the party, saying no member—regardless of influence—would be spared if found guilty of misconduct.

Abure, speaking after the meeting, claimed the Supreme Court ruling reaffirmed party supremacy and dismissed the idea of a caretaker committee as unconstitutional. He called those behind the Usman-led faction “betrayers,” insisting that the party had no room for political opportunists.

However, Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku of the NLC Political Commission slammed Abure’s position, questioning why he remains in office despite the apex court’s verdict. He described Abure’s stance as “madness” and accused him of challenging the authority of the Supreme Court.

He added that clarity would come once the Certified True Copy of the ruling is released, which would finally settle the controversy over Abure’s legitimacy as national chairman.

Meanwhile, the Nenadi Usman faction reacted strongly to Ogene’s removal. Tony Akeni, spokesman for the caretaker committee, expressed disappointment and predicted that Abure and his loyalists would soon face backlash. He suggested that Abure’s current grip on power was temporary, warning that the “empire” he’s clinging to was already crumbling.

As tensions boil over, the Labour Party finds itself on the edge of a full-blown internal war, with key figures openly battling for control and legitimacy. All eyes are now on Wednesday’s stakeholder meeting—and the possible political fireworks that could follow.