On Wednesday, the Labour Party’s (LP) Nenadi Usman’s caretaker committee established a four-member disciplinary committee to look into the actions of Julius Abure, the party’s embattled national chairman, and impose appropriate sanctions on him.
The move, according to the committee, came when Abure insisted on presenting himself as the party’s chairman following a Supreme Court ruling that removed him from office.
Chief Peter Ameh serves as the committee’s secretary, and Senator Ireti Kingibe chairs the committee.
After determining that the case’s core issue was the party’s leadership, the Supreme Court ruled in a lead judgment written by Justice John Okoro and read by Justice Mohammed Baba Idris that the Court of Appeal, Abuja, lacked the authority to declare Abure the national chairman of the LP.
It concluded that the question of leadership was a matter within a party’s internal affairs and that courts had no authority over it.
Thus, Nenadi Usman and one other’s appeal was granted by the court, which determined that it was meritorious.
Senator Usman accused Abure of using the Labour Party as a personal business to further his own agenda during Wednesday’s press conference in Abuja.
Abure allegedly took advantage of his position for personal benefit rather than promoting unity, she said.
In order to resolve these accusations, the disciplinary panel is responsible for looking into the claims made against Abure and suggesting suitable disciplinary actions.
Abure has been called before the disciplinary panel by the committee to address a number of petitions and accusations made against him.
Abure’s alleged abuse of party structures without following the proper procedures, such as holding zonal, state, ward, and local government congresses before a national convention, was also criticized by the caretaker.
With the announcement that a schedule for appropriate congresses and the election of national executives will be made public shortly, the team led by Nenadi Usman promised to restore internal democracy.
A disciplinary committee was established a few days ago by the Julius Abure-led Labour Party section to look into claims of anti-party conduct against Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, and other party members.
It stated that a disciplinary committee was established after the NEC “examined the anti-party activities of Alex Otti, the Abia State governor,” and other dissident members. Ayo Olorunfemi, the committee’s chair, was given two weeks to turn in its findings.
The Abure faction of the party, in response to the results of Nenadi Usman’s NEC meeting on Wednesday, condemned the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Sowumi, and Ogah for an indefinite suspension.
The National Executive of the party met today, May 7, 2025, and after thorough deliberation in accordance with the authority granted to it by the party constitution, ratified the recommendation as submitted by the disciplinary committee, according to a statement issued by the National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim.
“This came after the disciplinary committee’s assignment was completed and they presented their report to the party leadership,” he said.
Remember that the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) established a five-member disciplinary committee last Friday, May 2, 2025, with Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi as the Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the National Secretary, and three other members to look into claims of anti-party activities made by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members.
The following party members have been suspended from the party and all of its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect, according to the statement: Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
The suspension means that former party members will no longer act on behalf of the party, according to the National Secretary.
All relevant organizations, including the National Assembly, INEC, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and security agencies, should pay attention.
The fact that one Nenadi Usman’s name was suspiciously left off of the list of party members suspended would shock Nigerians and party supporters.
Initially, we have stated repeatedly that the aforementioned Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party because he does not possess a party card.
We are aware that she is a part of the Obedient Support Group, which assisted the party’s presidential candidate in 2023 and continues to do so. Therefore, since she is not a party member, we will not honor her with any sanctions.
We are aware once more that Ms. Usman just joined another political party at a widely reported event alongside a former governor of Kaduna State, and she vowed to be loyal to the party. We are obviously unsure of Usman Nenadi’s loyalties.
It also surprises the party leadership that Nenadi Usman is discussing corruption when, in fact, she is the headmistress of corruption. Nigerians are already aware of every case the EFCC has brought against her, so we anticipate that Ms. Usman will come up and tell them the truth about her plea deal with the EFCC and the properties she reportedly surrendered.
“She should also explain to Nigerians how she got her radio station in Kaduna, all of her properties in Nigeria and overseas, and her businesses in Cameroon, including her rice farms.” Nenadi Usman lacks the moral maturity to even discuss corruption, let alone start any investigation.
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“The public will be interested in learning that the party’s audited account has been made public, and the party’s financial records are in order regardless.” The party’s account was audited by INEC, the regulating authority, who deployed external auditors. The auditors provided a clean report and praised the party for its financial transparency. According to available data, the Labour Party’s financial records were ranked among the finest among Nigeria’s major parties.
Lastly, the party has since adopted a stance on the coalition problem, and we would like to reiterate that the party is not open to any proposals from individuals or organizations to form a coalition or union. As we have said before, the coalition’s leaders are incapable of facilitating such a political agreement since they lack the necessary skills, abilities, and moral fiber.
These individuals are incapable of overseeing a single political party; how can they oversee a coalition of political parties and their disparate agendas? No more discussion will be allowed regarding the Labour Party’s intention to run as a stand-alone party in the general election of 2027.
