Alex Otti Blames LP Chairman Abure for Party Crisis

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has accused the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, of fueling internal divisions within the party.

In an interview on Nigeria Info FM on Wednesday, Otti’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, criticized Abure’s conduct, alleging that he had compromised the party’s integrity for personal gain.

“Mr. Abure is the one destroying the Labour Party,” Ekeoma said. “He’s betraying the progressive ideals of the party and, by extension, betraying Nigerians.”

Ekeoma further claimed that evidence would be provided at the appropriate time to support the allegations against Abure, stating, “At the right time, we will prove that this man sacrificed the party’s integrity for selfish reasons.”

This comes in the wake of earlier threats by Abure to expose both Governor Otti and the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying he would leave them “smelling like bad eggs.”

Responding to these threats, Ekeoma dismissed them as bluster. “If Abure meant well for the party, he wouldn’t be boasting. We’re just laughing. He thinks he’s dealing with kids,” he said.

Ekeoma also criticized Abure’s leadership, noting the party’s lack of infrastructure in many regions, including Abia State. “Before Governor Alex Otti and others joined, the Labour Party didn’t even have an office in Abia. Yet Abure acted as though the party was firmly established across the country,” he remarked.

While denying allegations of bribery, Ekeoma acknowledged that financial and logistical support was provided to party leaders, including Abure, during the 2023 elections.

“I’m not talking about bribes. I’m talking about support. It wasn’t wrong to assist the national chairman or the party. But there were compromises everywhere you looked,” he added.

The internal crisis continues to expose deep rifts within the Labour Party, as its key figures trade accusations over the party’s direction and leadership.