LP calls for Tinubu’s intervention as Governor Otti threatens party

The Labour Party has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the growing tension between the party’s leadership and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) expressed concern over Governor Otti’s recent statements, which they deemed threatening and disparaging towards the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure.

According to Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim on Monday, the Labour Party’s National Secretary, Governor Otti’s actions are a clear case of tyranny and an attempt to stifle the party. “We are seeking the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to persuade the governor from further threatening our party and leadership,” Ibrahim said.

The Labour Party cited several instances where Governor Otti allegedly threatened party members, including ordering the arrest and detention of the party’s state chairman and other leaders. “His recent threat to arrest Abure and the National Working Committee members for suspending him is one threat too many,” Ibrahim added.

The party also responded to Governor Otti’s claims that Abure is a “clown in search of a crown,” saying that Abure was already a respected leader in the party before Otti joined. “Abure was already wearing the crown before Alex Otti met us at the party… How can the same Abure now be a clown in search of a crown?” Ibrahim questioned.

The Labour Party urged Governor Otti to respect the party’s leadership and to refrain from making further threats. They also appealed to estranged members to allow reason to prevail and obey the Supreme Court’s pronouncement on the supremacy of the party.

“We want to reiterate that the Supreme Court did not remove Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, neither did it hand over the party to Otti and his cohorts,” Ibrahim emphasised.