Nenadi Usman, the caretaker chairperson of the Labour Party (LP), has sharply criticized factional chairman Julius Abure, accusing him of a notorious history of forgery and judicial manipulation. Usman’s statement came in response to a reported court order obtained by the Abure faction from a Nasarawa State High Court, which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload Abure’s candidates for upcoming council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Usman condemned the move as an act of desperation and blatant forum shopping, as the matter constitutionally falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. She highlighted the illegitimacy of the Nasarawa High Court’s involvement, given INEC’s status as a federal institution.
Recall that the Supreme Court unequivocally removed Abure from office on April 4, 2025, in a landmark judgment, yet Abure and his faction continue to defy court orders with the apparent backing of the APC-led federal government. Usman warned that this alliance threatens to undermine the Labour Party and weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The statement also reminded Nigerians of Abure’s criminal involvement during the 2023 Ebonyi State governorship election, which triggered a directive from the Attorney-General for his prosecution a case that still looms over him.
Nenadi Usman’s remarks signal ongoing turmoil and legal battles within the Labour Party as it struggles to maintain cohesion and credibility amid factional conflicts and allegations of forgery and abuse of judicial processes.The Julius Abure-led faction of Nigeria's Labour Party (LP) has launched a strong counterattack against Peter Obi, the party's 2023 presidential candidate, accusing him of being an "Uber" politician and undermining the party ahead of the crucial August 16, 2025, by-elections. Abure personally signed a statement criticizing Obi for directing his supporters to vote for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) instead of Labour Party candidates in the upcoming polls, a move that has deepened the internal crisis within the LP.
Abure described Obi's directive as "misleading, mischievous and delusional," accusing Obi of playing political subterfuge and lacking the integrity to take a firm stand. He called Obi an irony and a paradox in Nigerian politics for affiliating himself with multiple parties in a desperate quest for power, likening him to an "Uber politician" unwilling to commit to a singular position. Abure stated that Obi’s actions have been harmful to the party, alleging that Obi instigated the internal crisis that led to the LP's exclusion from the by-election ballot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The LP faction led by Abure insists that, contrary to Obi's claims, the party's candidates are duly on the ballot for the by-elections across 16 states, despite the lingering leadership disputes and legal battles. Abure urged party members and supporters to reject Obi’s directive and vote for Labour Party candidates, stressing the need for unity and focus to secure electoral victories.
On the other hand, Obi, citing the unresolved leadership tussle within the Labour Party and INEC's failure to recognise the party's candidates, called on his supporters, known as "Obidients," to back ADC candidates in the by-elections. Obi’s move was framed as a pragmatic strategy amid coalition-building efforts with the ADC and a response to the LP's internal chaos that prevented its participation in the elections.
This rift within the Labour Party reflects a broader struggle for control, legitimacy, and direction. The battle between the Abure faction, which controls the official party structure recognized by INEC, and Obi's camp has caused a crisis that has hindered the party’s electoral prospects and undermined its status as a formidable political force.
The conflict also includes legal battles and accusations, with Abure accusing Obi of co-funding the crisis and even leading protests against the party's own interests. Abure lamented Obi's betrayal despite the goodwill extended to him by the party leadership and questioned his competence and character to fulfill the vision of a "new Nigeria" under the Labour Party banner.
As the by-elections approach, the factionalized state of the Labour Party poses significant questions about its future coherence and effectiveness. The upcoming polls, which include two senatorial, five House of Representatives, and nine state assembly seats, will be a test of the party's resilience and the effectiveness of Abure’s command over the party machinery.
In conclusion, the latest confrontation between Julius Abure and Peter Obi portrays a party divided by leadership conflicts and strategic disagreements. Abure’s sharp critique and rebuttal of Obi’s political maneuvering highlight the complex and often turbulent nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances shift, internal crises erupt, and the battle for political dominance is fiercely contested. The outcome of the August 16 by-elections could either mark a reaffirmation of Abure’s leadership or deepen the fissures within the Labour Party.