NEC Meeting: Abia LP Slams Abure

The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party has reacted to the criticism of a faction of the party in the state, loyal to the embattled National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, led by Prince G.O Ndubeze on the National Executive Council NEC meeting held in Abuja on Friday July 18, 2025.

At the NEC meeting, the party held that Senator Nenadi Usman is the interim National Chairman while Senator Darlington Nwokocha was elected as the interim National Secretary.

Reacting, the Prince G.O Ndubeze led group was critical of the meeting, describing it as “a sacrilegious outing by some unscrupulous individuals aided by certain suspended members of our party, in an attempt to create further divides and disunity within the party.”

In a swift response, the Abia State Labour Party under the chairmanship of Sir Emmanuel Otti berated that publication, expressing disappointment in what it described as a show of shame by the G.O Ndubeze group.

A press statement on Saturday , July 19, 2025, signed by the state publicity Secretary of Labour Party in Abia, Chidiebere Okoro Okafor described the statement of Ndubeze as “unfounded” and lacking any “credible basis.”

“We are disappointed that G.O. Ndubeze and his frustrated team have chosen to question the validity of the meeting. Their claims of illegality, nullity, and voidness are unfounded and lack any credible basis.”

According to the statement, “The Labour Party’s National Executive Council meeting held on Friday, July 18, 2025, was a constitutional and legitimate gathering of our party’s leadership. The meeting was convened in accordance with our party’s rules and regulations, and all necessary procedures were followed.”

“As a party, we are committed to upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability. We believe that our internal processes and decision-making mechanisms are robust and designed to promote the interests of our members and the broader labour movement.”

“We urge our members and the public to disregard this baseless criticism and instead focus on the party’s efforts to advance workers’ rights and interests. We remain committed to our core values and objectives, and we will continue to work tirelessly to promote the welfare of our members and the Nigerian people.”

“The Labour Party is one family with His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, as our National Leader and Senator Nenadi Usman is our Interim National Chairman.”

Recall that the Julius Abure led faction of LP had in a press release endorsed by Hon. John Onyekachi Igbojionu distanced itself from the NEC meeting, questioning the legality of the meeting.

Read full text:

The Abia State leadership of the Labour Party have been inundated with the sacrilegious outing by some unscrupulous individuals aided by certain suspended members of our party, in an attempt to create further divides and disunity within the party.

We want to state categorically that the charade of a meeting is illegal and its outcome null and void abinitio.

The Labour Party in Abia State under the able leadership of Hon. Prince GO Ndubueze is totally under the submission of Barr. Julius Abure led the National Working Committee (NWC).

We hereby dissociate ourselves completely from that inglorious outing. And hence advise our members to disregard whatever directive emanating from that illegal gatherings.

The Party further advises that Abia state resources should rather be channelled to projects that will directly improve the lives of Abians.

The Labour Party constitution is clear as to who is authorized to convene a NEC. Article 14(4)(b) of the party’s constitution empowers the National Secretary in consultation with the National Chairman to convene a NEC or any other national meeting. Also, Article 13(B)(xii) of the party’s constitution mandates only the NEC to have powers to establish adhoc and standing committee of the party and appoint members of such committees.

The Supreme Court judgement of April 4th has affirmed the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure, as such there is absolutely no vacancy in the leadership strata of the Labour Party.

We therefore urge these distractors to either abide by the decision of the Apex court or seek an alternative political platform for the future political pursuit.

Signed:
Hon. John Onyekachi Igbojionu.
Acting State Secretary
Labour Party.
Abia State.