Labour Party Suspends Abure.

 

…Appoints Kingibe, others to probe alleged anti-party activities

 

….Gives Abure 48 hours to defend himself

The ongoing crises in the Labour Party LP, deepened Wednesday, as the party’s Caretaker Committee constituted a Special investigative panel headed by Ireti Kingibe to investigate Julius Abure, erstwhile national Chairman, on alleged anti party activities and misappropriation of party funds.

Nenadi Usman, Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, while addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, said the committee, headed by Ireti Kingibe, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory FCT, as Chairman, with Peter Ameh, as Secretary, has three weeks within which to submit its reports.

The terms of reference include, amongst others, examination of all allegations levelled against Abure, including alleged anti-party activities, misappropriation of party funds.

The Panel is also expected to recommend appropriate sanctions to be given to the erstwhile Chairman.n

Usman accused Abure and his co-travellers of promoting “divisive actions and familiar manipulative antics that threaten the integrity, public image and unity of our party. It is in this spirit of responsibility to safeguard our cherished democratic ideals of the Labour Party and consequent upon Mr. Abure’s unabated misrepresentation and impersonation of the office of the National Chairman of the Labour Party that the NEC in session  reached the hard but necessary decision”

She stated that the National Executive Committee NEC of the party had after a careful and comprehensive review of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on Friday, April 4, 2025, become deeply concerned by the subsequent actions of Julius Abure, “particularly his continued impersonation of the esteemed office of the National Chairman of the Labour Party”

The party noted that Abure’s actions have not only violated the spirit and letter of the law but have also brought the image and integrity of the great party into disrepute.

“In the exercise of its constitutional mandate and strict accordance with the disciplinary provisions of the Labour Party Constitution 2019 (As Amended), the NEC, in session, hereby announces the commencement of disciplinary actions against Mr. Abure.

To commence nationwide congresses

Usman noted that the party  has started  actions against Abure with the constitution of the special investigative committee to review the actions of Abure as it affects the image and integrity of the party.

“In line with due process and the party constitution, NEC gives Mr. Abure 48 hours notice to show why didddddsciplinary actions would not be taken against him for his numerous acts of misconduct against the party. The formal notice of disciplinary actions will be sent to the last known address of Barr. Julius Abure.”

“ Mr. Abure is hereby warned to desist from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party or impersonating the office in any form”, she said

Usman, while noting that the apex court of the land has clearly and finally nullified his claim to leadership, and his tenure has long expired by the passage of time, added that “ his continuing acts of reckless denigration of party leadership and open war against the party will attract severe sanctions.

“ Rather than drag the image of the Party into further disrepute, Mr. Abure is advised to deploy his time and attention to addressing the serious allegations of corruption, forgery, perjury, and criminal conspiracy pending against him.

Usman also decried Abure’s continued attacks on the Labour Party leader, Peter Obi and its only Governor, Alex Oti, as according to her, “ Abure and his expired National Working Committee lack the legal or moral authority to speak about taking any disciplinary action against Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, or any member of the Labour Party for that matter.

“We therefore urge Dr. Alex Otti, and indeed all members of the Labour Party, to disregard Mr. Abure’s ignorance and orchestrated ddisillusionmentt

“Accordingly, on behalf of the leadership and members of the Labour Party globally, we tender an unreserved apology to Mr Peter Obi and Governor Otti, for the uncouth and irresponsible remarks previously made by the suspended former Chairman, Bar. Abure”

Usman recalled how in June 2023, Julius Abure was allowed to lead the LP National Working Committee, NWC, for a transitional one-year period post-2023 elections based on mediation and conciliation, with the clear mandate to conduct congresses from ward to national levels.

She noted however, that in March 2024, instead  of following due process, Abure convened a National Convention without ward, LGA, or state congresses without INEC supervision contrary to the provisions of the Section 223 of the 999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), the Labour Party Constitution and INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

“ June 8, 2024: INEC formally communicated to Mr Abure that his tenure had expired.

Usman also recalled how INEC excluded Abure from national party chairmen meetings twice,recognising and emphasising that his tenure had lapsed.

During the 2024 Ondo Governorship Election, INEC rejected LP agent lists submitted under Abure. Abure sued INEC to compel recognition—a legal battle he lost”

Speaking on the next plans, Usman revealed that the party’s leadership is diligently working to launch the nationwide membership registration nd revalidation exercise in the coming weeks.

“This critical step will strengthen our grassroots engagement and reposition the Labour Party as a truly people-driven movement.

“In furtherance of this, we have formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of our planned activities, including the forthcoming ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses, culminating in the National Convention. Full details and schedules will be communicated to all stakeholders in the coming days”