On Wednesday, April 9, the National Caretaker Commission (NCC) led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman shared their excitement in Abuja on Wednesday, April 9 after the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s ruling released a dispute over the party’s leadership.
Abia Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, who reads the court excerpt, confirmed that the Supreme Court upheld the legitimacy of the leader of Senator Usman. He made the announcement at the Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and expanded the summit at the stakeholder summit at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
The event was attended by key parties, including LP’s national leader and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. Otti and Obi will both face sanctions for suspected anti-party activities and participate in what he calls a parallel NEC meeting, after the warning from the party’s president, Julius Abure, were issued in just two days.
“The Supreme Court confirmed that the plaintiffs (Usman and others) were right in the appeal and further cautioned politicians to respect the terms of offices set out in the constitution of their respective parties,” Otti said of the gathering.
Despite his term expired and growing resistance from the party, he criticized Abul for trying to stick to the post of President. Otti recounts an Abure meeting, who initially claimed that he did not want any leadership position. According to Otti, the party offered him the position of Chairman of the Board (BOT), but Abure later turned the course and insisted on continuing his post.
Oti stressed the need for due process within the party, saying: “If you still want to be president, the right process is to start with the ward Congress, the state legislature, the regional Congress where the representatives will attend the National Congress and each member can compete freely.”
The Labour leadership crisis has intensified in recent months, with parallel factions placing demands on the state structure. Supporters say the Supreme Court’s decision has made the leadership quarrel unclear and provides a legal basis for parties to reorganize ahead of future political engagements.
