Labour Party withdraws Peter Obi, Alex Otti’s tickets amid leadership crisis

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has withdrawn its presidential and governorship election tickets previously awarded to Peter Obi and Alex Otti, respectively.

This decision comes after a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Governor Otti, which resulted in Nenadi Usman emerging as the party’s interim national coordinator.

The NEC, led by National Chairman Julius Abure, described the Abia summit as “an illegality and a nullity,” disassociating itself from the outcome. A communique issued at the end of the meeting maintained that there was no vacuum in the party’s leadership and urged INEC Chairman Professor Mahmud Yakubu to stop aiding and abetting Otti against the party.

The party has set up a disciplinary committee to address anti-party activities and reviewed reconciliatory moves towards other members. National Chairman Abure addressed journalists, stating that the party stands united and will not be divided by internal conflicts. He emphasized that the Labour Party remains committed to its principles of unity, justice, and integrity.

Abure also clarified issues surrounding the 2023 presidential campaign funds and donations, stating that the party was not involved in financial transactions related to the campaign. He assured that the current leadership will defend its mandate and continue building the party into a formidable force representing all Nigerians.