The Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, has accused Labour Party (LP) National Chairman, Julius Abure, of being backed by external forces to destabilize the party.

In an interview, Ndubuaku, who also serves as the National Secretary General of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), explained the NLC’s opposition to Abure’s leadership, the party’s legal battles, and its plans for the future.

Reacting to the decision of Alex Otti and Peter Obi-led caretaker committee to challenge Abure’s leadership at the Supreme Court, Ndubuaku dismissed claims that the Appeal Court’s ruling validated Abure’s position.

“The Appeal Court didn’t rule that Abure is the rightful leader. It merely stated that the lower court had no jurisdiction over party leadership disputes. If that is the case, then the Appeal Court itself should not have ruled on the matter either. The consent judgment that confirms NLC’s role in the party remains valid and cannot be overturned.”

He insisted that the legal battle was not over and that the NLC would take appropriate action once the Supreme Court delivers its ruling.

While acknowledging that the NLC does not directly control the Labour Party, Ndubuaku emphasized that the union is a permanent stakeholder in the party’s decision-making process.

“The NLC and the TUC (Trade Union Congress) presidents and secretaries are permanent members of the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Unlike other political parties, where leadership changes over time, Labour Party has institutional membership rooted in the labour movement.”

He further revealed that the certificate of registration for the party remains in NLC’s possession, reinforcing the union’s claim as the rightful custodian of LP.

Despite the ongoing crisis, Ndubuaku expressed confidence in the LP’s ability to contest and win elections in 2027, downplaying concerns that the leadership tussle could weaken the party.

“Labour Party is not just a political party, it is a movement of Nigerian workers. The same way the UK has a Labour Party, we also have ours. The party existed before Peter Obi’s emergence and will continue to grow beyond individuals like Abure.”

He also alleged that Abure is being sponsored by powerful figures in the ruling APC, pointing to the refusal of security agencies to prosecute him despite alleged forgery and financial mismanagement.

“Abure was indicted by the Inspector General of Police, yet he hasn’t been prosecuted. The EFCC received evidence from the party’s national treasurer against him but failed to act. Who is protecting him?”

Ndubuaku dismissed claims that Abia State Governor Alex Otti still recognizes Abure as LP chairman, noting that Otti was instrumental in forming the caretaker committee to replace him.

He also stated that Peter Obi does not support Abure, adding that the Obidient Movement, LP lawmakers, and key party stakeholders have distanced themselves from him.

“When virtually every major figure in the party rejects you, who exactly are you leading? If Abure has any integrity left, he should step down instead of clinging to power.”

When asked if the NLC would consider reconciling with Abure for the sake of party unity, Ndubuaku was firm in his opposition.

“How do you reconcile with someone who has been accused of forgery and corruption? Labour Party is built on integrity, and leaders like Obi, Otti, and NLC President Joe Ajaero cannot sit at the same table with him.”

He warned that any attempt to reintegrate Abure into the party leadership could spell disaster for LP’s credibility, urging party members to remain vigilant.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case, the battle for the soul of the party remains intense, with both factions unwilling to back down.

The Edo State House of Assembly has approached the state high court, urging it to uphold the suspension of the chairmen of the state’s 18 local government areas (LGAs). The Assembly, through a suit filed on January 28, 2025, seeks a legal declaration affirming its power to suspend LG chairmen and vice-chairmen under the Local Government Law, 2000, of Edo State.

The suit, identified as B/34/2025, follows the December 17, 2024, suspension of all LG chairmen and their deputies for alleged insubordination to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The governor had requested that the chairmen provide statements of accounts for their councils, a directive which was reportedly ignored.

The suspension followed a formal petition from Governor Okpebholo to the House, citing the chairmen’s failure to comply.

The suspended chairmen, along with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have contested the legality of the suspension, arguing that Governor Okpebholo lacks the authority to demand the council’s financial statements due to the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the autonomy of local governments.

In the legal action, the Edo State House of Assembly, through its lawyer C.O. Edosa of C.O. Edosa and Co., is seeking the court’s determination on several key issues.

Among them is whether the decision to suspend the chairmen and their deputies contravened Section 20(b) of the Local Government Law by violating the democratic structure of the local government councils.

The House also wants the court to clarify whether the legislative arms of the councils were properly constituted by democratically elected officials, as stipulated in Sections 11(3) and 14 of the law.

Additionally, the Assembly is requesting the court to affirm that, in the absence of a chairman and vice-chairman, the legislative arms of the councils still hold the authority to manage the affairs and finances of the councils.

The House is seeking declarations confirming that its actions did not dismantle the democratic structure of the local governments and that local government administration remains intact.

It also requests the court to affirm its legal right to suspend the LG chairmen and vice-chairmen under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Law, 2000.

The defendants in the case have been instructed to respond within 42 days of receiving the legal summons, either personally or through legal representation.

Failure to do so will allow the court to proceed with the case and make any necessary rulings.

As the Labour Party (LP) navigates a critical period of internal strife, its National Chairman, Julius Abure, must urgently seek reconciliation with key figures such as Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti, lawmakers, and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders to prevent mass defections that could weaken the party’s position ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abure’s recent victory at the Court of Appeal has reaffirmed his leadership, but it has not resolved the deep divisions within the party.

The crisis originated when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to recognize the party’s National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on March 27, 2024, where Abure was re-elected.

This lack of recognition emboldened stakeholders, including Obi and Otti, to oppose his leadership.

The leadership tussle intensified when an expanded stakeholders’ meeting, convened by Otti in Umuahia on September 4, 2024, removed Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) and appointed a 29-member caretaker committee led by former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman.

This move was based on INEC’s assertion that Abure’s tenure had expired in June 2024. Obi and Otti further formalized their opposition in a letter to INEC, citing the de-recognition of Abure’s leadership.

However, Abure fought back legally and secured favorable rulings.

On October 8, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that INEC must recognize his leadership.

The Appeal Court upheld this stance on January 17, 2025, with Justice Hamma Barka affirming that party leadership issues were beyond judicial jurisdiction but reiterating Abure’s position as National Chairman.

Despite these legal victories, the political reality remains unchanged, Abure’s leadership lacks the support of major party stakeholders, and the divisions within LP persist.

One of Abure’s most contentious decisions was his September 2024 declaration that all LP tickets, including the presidential and gubernatorial ones, would be open to competition in 2027.

This reversed an earlier decision that had reserved automatic tickets for Obi and Otti, recognizing their pivotal role in the party’s 2023 success.

This announcement further alienated key figures.

Akin Osuntokun, Director-General of Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, criticized the move, arguing that it demonstrated a lack of commitment to reconciliation.

He also noted that Abure’s continued leadership contradicted Nigeria’s political balance, as both the party’s chairman and likely presidential candidate hail from the South.

Amid these internal struggles, suspicions have grown that external forces, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), are fueling the crisis to weaken LP before the 2027 elections.

Some party members allege that certain high-profile figures within the federal government are funding factions within LP to create instability.

This perception has led to growing calls for Abure to step down.

Chieftains like Nwabueze Onwuneme argue that Abure’s leadership is no longer tenable and that the party must align with the wishes of the majority to prevent further defections.

The consequences of this ongoing leadership dispute are already evident. In Abia State, where Otti’s administration has earned public support, several LP members defected to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and won local government elections.

If this trend continues, LP risks losing its most influential members and, ultimately, its relevance as a national political force.

To prevent this, Abure must abandon a combative approach and embrace genuine reconciliation.

This includes rebuilding trust with Obi, Otti, and other key stakeholders, as well as making concessions to unite the party.

Without these efforts, LP risks fragmentation, which could lead to its eventual decline before the 2027 elections.

In the end, legal victories mean little if the party cannot function as a cohesive unit.

Abure’s challenge now is not just to retain his title but to ensure that LP remains a viable political platform for Nigerians seeking change.