ABIA STATE, Nigeria — Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, don call for the arrest of the Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, as e dey face serious allegations of impersonation and undermining judicial authority. Dis call come after the Supreme Court verdict wey knock Abure off as party chairman.
On Wednesday, Otti released statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, where e describe Abure’s “suspension” as “a desperate act by a clown in search of a crown.” Otti emphasize say the Supreme Court clearly state say Abure no fit act on behalf of the party again.
Otti don urge Inspector General of Police make dem arrest Abure, and call on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) make dem implement the Supreme Court judgment to guard the rule of law and strengthen democracy for Nigeria.
Ekeoma follow up with more words, say, “The statement wey Abure and im gang issue na joke wey don pass the limit, and na affront to democracy by a bunch of inconsequential irritants wey wan use Governor Otti name to push their selfish agenda.”
The Supreme Court ruling wey put Senator Nenadi Usman as interim leader of the Labour Party don strip Abure of any power to act as chairman. Ekeoma claim say Abure rush to announce Otti’s suspension just hours after im receive summons from the Caretaker Committee to answer allegations of gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, and anti-party activities.
“We dey urge Nigerians to ignore Abure’s ridiculous claim and see him and im co-conspirators as just clowns wey no fit wear crown they no deserve,” Ekeoma add.
Meanwhile, INEC don come out on Thursday to refute media claims say dem recognize Abure as Labour Party Chairman. INEC clear say no official recognition don happen for anyone wey dey involved in the fight for leadership within di party.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC Chief Press Secretary, talk say, “Our attention don dey drawn to media claims say the commission don recognize certain individuals as National Chairman and National Secretary of Labour Party. The reports wey refer to persons on our official website na false and misleading.”
Oyekanmi clarify say Abure name and that of LP National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, wey dey on INEC website, na based on previous court order wey no relate to the Supreme Court latest ruling. He make am known say INEC never take fresh decision after the Supreme Court talk.
The Supreme Court on April 4, 2025, don overturn previous court ruling wey don recognize Abure as Labour Party Chairman, say the lower court no get jurisdiction over internal party matters. Following dis, the Labour Party appoint Senator Nenadi Usman to lead new Caretaker Committee to take charge for the party.
Governor Otti and im team on April 9 go INEC headquarters for Abuja, submit Certified True Copy of di Supreme Court judgment, pushing for quick enforcement. On di other hand, di Supreme Court also don clear say they no support any lower court decision wey remove Senator Samuel Anyanwu from PDP leadership, maintain say such matters dey within the party’s jurisdiction.
INEC still dey emphasize say dem dey follow due process and dem dey evaluate di Supreme Court judgment implications to state dem official position later.
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