The Labour Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) exacerbated its internal crisis on Monday, May 12, accusing Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti of tyranny, threats, and betrayal in a strongly worded statement.
The party called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently look into the matter and restrain Otti, alleging his actions are destabilising the party and undermining democracy.
Signed by National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the statement condemned Otti’s “despicable and repeated threats”, including being accused of past arrests of party leaders and a recent call for the arrest of National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure. “This is one threat too many. Governor Otti must be reminded that there is no place for tyranny in a democratic system,” the statement read. “His actions are not only undemocratic but dangerous for party cohesion and national stability.”
The party made reference to incidents such as the arrests of National Vice Chairman Comrade Ceekay Igara and State Chairman Prince Ndubeze during a “lawful party meeting” and a “doomsday” threat made by Otti at a political gathering on April 9, 2025, alongside Peter Obi and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed. It accused Otti of ingratitude toward the leaders who enabled his 2023 gubernatorial win, claiming he has contributed little to the party’s growth. “We gave him our platform when he was rejected by all other parties. We promoted him, defended him in court, and today, he bites the same fingers that fed him,” the statement noted.
In response to Otti’s media aide Ferdinand Ekeoma’s remark calling Abure a “clown in search of a crown”, the party retorted that Abure was “wearing the crown” as chairman when Otti joined. “It is Otti who now appears to be the real clown, performing erratically on a stage built by others,” it stated.
The Labour Party referenced a Supreme Court ruling confirming political parties’ autonomy in internal matters and a November 13, 2024, Court of Appeal judgement upholding Abure’s chairmanship. The NWC was able to also connect Otti’s actions to threats by NLC President Joe Ajaero, alleging Otti is sponsoring “rascality” to undermine the party’s leadership.
Following this, the NWC’s indefinite suspension of Otti and five others, including Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha, on May 7, 2025, for alleged anti-party activities, a move Otti’s aide Dr Ebere Uzoukwa called a “bad joke”. The crisis has deepened factionalism, with Otti reportedly backing a caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman to reposition the party for 2027.