The Labour Party (LP) faction loyal to Julius Abure on Tuesday pushed ahead with its nationwide ward congresses in all states except Abia, describing the turnout as “impressive” and the process “smooth,” even as a court injunction secured by Governor Alex Otti’s faction remained in force.
Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), said supervision teams across the country reported positively on the exercise and reiterated the party’s commitment to strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He explained the schedule:
Ward Congresses: Tuesday, 2 December
Local Government Congresses: Thursday, 4 December
State Congresses: Saturday, 6 December
Abia State was excluded after an Abia State High Court temporarily halted the congresses pending the resolution of a suit challenging the state leadership.
Ifoh insisted the Abure faction was complying, even as its legal team works to have the order vacated.
Ifoh emphasized that the November 28 NEC meeting, attended by INEC officials, had resolved to democratize party leadership nationwide in accordance with electoral laws.
He urged Nigerians to support the party in its efforts to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 polls.
The spokesman also warned against internal sabotage, accusing unnamed actors of fomenting chaos and circulating false reports about a nationwide suspension of congresses.
“Publishing fake news that a court has cancelled Labour Party congresses nationwide is a crime and can attract dire consequences,” he said, warning those spreading misinformation to desist.
The Abure faction maintains that it is determined to move the party forward and will continue its congresses, leaving behind anyone unwilling to align with the process.
The current developments follow the Abia State High Court injunction obtained by the Otti faction on November 26 (Suit No. HIN/47/2025), which restrains Abure and his NWC from conducting purported ward, local government, and state congresses.
The Abure camp has dismissed the claim, arguing that the order applies only to Abia State.
The ongoing dispute comes amid a wider internal struggle, with the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Interim NWC recently submitting a 34-member leadership list to INEC, claiming it supersedes previous submissions by both factions.
