BREAKING: Abure Faction of Labour Party Warns Abia Deputy Governor, Others Over Planned National Convention

The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) took another dramatic turn on Thursday as the faction loyal to the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, issued a stern warning to the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Dr. Ikechukwu Emetu, and other suspended members over what it described as plans to organise an illegal national convention.

 

The warning was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, who accused the affected individuals of undermining the constitution, rules and established structures of the Labour Party.

 

The statement, which was made available to journalists, named other suspended members allegedly involved in the planned convention as Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha.

 

According to the party, any attempt by the suspended members to convene a national convention or carry out membership registration exercises without the approval of the recognised national leadership would be resisted through lawful means.

 

“The Labour Party will not hesitate to explore all legal options available to it to challenge any individual or group bent on undermining the rules and regulations of the party,” Ifoh said.

 

He also cautioned members of the public and party faithful to be wary of what he described as misleading activities being carried out by the suspended members, particularly the alleged solicitation of new membership registrations and the call for a convention that the party insists is illegal.

 

Ifoh maintained that the Labour Party had already conducted a valid and widely recognised national convention in March 2024, where the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) was elected. He further stated that following the convention, the party had successfully launched both online and physical membership registration exercises across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 

According to him, the registration exercise, which began several months ago, had recorded what he described as “astronomical figures,” reflecting growing public interest in the party.

 

“Our attention has been drawn to a viral video of Dr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the deputy governor of Abia State, alongside Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha, where they were engaged in an illegal unveiling and inauguration of what they called the Labour Party National Steering Committee for membership registration,” Ifoh stated.

 

He described the exercise as a clear violation of party procedures, adding that the individuals involved lacked the authority to initiate or conduct such activities in the name of the Labour Party.

 

The spokesperson further recalled that the party had only recently concluded its congresses across the country, which were monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said the congresses were held in 35 states and the FCT, with Abia State being the only exception due to a subsisting court order.

 

“Only recently, the Labour Party held its INEC-monitored congresses across the 35 states and the FCT, with the exception of Abia State because of a court order. INEC has also monitored the processes that culminated in the Labour Party’s participation in the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states,” the statement added.

 

In what appeared to be a direct rebuke of the Abia deputy governor, Ifoh reminded Dr. Emetu that he was present at the party’s national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, in March 2024. According to him, the deputy governor led the entire Abia State executive of the party, as well as members of the Abia State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the LP, to the convention where the current NWC was elected.

 

The Labour Party’s reaction followed reports of a timetable and schedule of activities released by the faction reportedly led by Senator Nenadi Usman. The timetable, which circulated widely on social media, outlined a series of activities aimed at preparing the party for the 2027 general elections.

 

According to the viral report, the faction announced plans to hold a national convention on February 28, 2026. The schedule also included the inauguration of a National Steering Committee for membership revalidation and new registrations, as well as the unveiling of a nationwide membership mobilisation drive.

 

The membership mobilisation exercise, which reportedly commenced on Wednesday, is expected to run until January 10, 2026, with a target of enrolling no fewer than 10 million Nigerians into the party.

 

The timetable further listed ward congresses slated for January 13, 2026, local government congresses on January 17, state congresses on January 24, and zonal congresses on January 31, 2026.

 

However, the Abure-led faction of the party outrightly disowned the timetable, describing it as the handiwork of individuals acting without any legitimate authority.

 

“We do not know which Labour Party these people are working for, or under which authority they are performing an exercise that had already taken place several months ago,” Ifoh said.

 

In a pointed remark, he questioned the rationale behind the actions of the suspended members, especially given the involvement of INEC with the recognised leadership of the party.

 

“Who is playing this dumb drum for these men, even when they know that the Independent National Electoral Commission has since moved on with the authentic leadership of the Labour Party?” he queried.

 

Beyond the immediate dispute, the party also raised alarm over what it described as a broader plot to destabilise the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ifoh alleged that a powerful politician from the South-East was behind renewed efforts to fracture the party after failing to have his way in what he termed “merchandising” the party.

According to him, the alleged plotter had vowed to sink the Labour Party if his personal ambitions were not accommodated.

“We are aware of a renewed plot by a powerful politician from the South-East who has sworn to destroy the Labour Party if he fails to have his way. Nigerians must rise against the attempt by one individual to turn the Labour Party into his personal fiefdom,” Ifoh warned.

He stressed that the party was not for sale and would not be hijacked to serve narrow interests.

“Labour Party is not available for their ulterior motives. The party has moved on. We have had our convention and recently concluded our congresses across the nation. Our focus now is on making a greater impact in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Ifoh concluded by warning all individuals and groups he described as “obstructive powers” to desist from actions capable of distracting the party.

“We therefore warn every obstructive power to also move on, because the Labour Party has since moved on,” he added.

 

The latest development underscores the deepening factional battle within the Labour Party, a crisis that has continued to generate controversy since the party’s surprising performance in the 2023 general elections. Observers say how the party resolves its leadership and organisational disputes may significantly shape its fortunes ahead of the 2027 polls.