TDThe Labour Party’s internal crisis deepened further, as the faction led by Julius Abure declared that Governor Alex Otti will not be the party’s candidate for the 2027 Abia governorship election.
Instead, Abure formally presented the party’s nomination form to Hon. Ceekay Igara, National Vice Chairman (South East) and former Abia State LP Chairman.
At the presentation, Abure insisted: “Any vote cast for the Labour Party in Abia is for Igara, not Otti.”
The statement highlights the widening gulf between rival factions battling for control of the party’s structures ahead of the next election cycle.
Background to the Crisis
The Labour Party has been locked in a prolonged leadership dispute.
One faction, aligned with Senator Nenadi Usman and Governor Alex Otti, has been dominant in recent months.
Usman presented Otti with free nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja and rallied lawmakers behind his re-election bid.
On the other side, the Abure-led faction insists Otti’s candidacy is illegitimate, positioning Igara as its flagbearer.
This faction has consistently challenged Otti’s influence in Abia, citing parallel structures and alleged violations of party procedures.
The crisis has played out in courts, with disputes over recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and multiple suspensions and counter-suspensions of party officials.
Attempts at reconciliation have so far failed.
INEC Recognition Status
As of May 2026, INEC officially recognizes the Nenadi Usman-led faction (aligned with Governor Otti) as the legitimate national leadership of the Labour Party.
INEC’s records list Senator Usman as National Chairman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as National Secretary.
The recognition followed a Federal High Court ruling in January 2026 that declared Julius Abure’s tenure expired.
INEC updated its portal in January 2026 to reflect this change, removing Abure and inserting Usman.
The Usman faction has since attended INEC’s consultative meetings with political parties.
Courts, including the Supreme Court, have reinforced this position, emphasizing that Abure’s executive tenure had elapsed.
The Abure faction, however, continues parallel activities and vows to pursue legal appeals.
Hon. Ceekay Igara’s nomination form presentation is part of this factional positioning, but it lacks INEC recognition.
Outlook
Practically, for candidate submission, primaries, and ballot access in Abia, INEC will deal with the Usman-led structure.
This means that unless courts reverse the current position or a convention resolves the split, Alex Otti remains the recognized Labour Party candidate for 2027.
The Abure-Igara move reflects ongoing parallel structures within the LP crisis.
Analysts caution that while factional declarations may rally supporters, only INEC-recognized candidates will appear on the ballot.
Bottom line
The claims from the Abure faction are real but represent one side of the split.
The official pathway currently favors Otti’s re-election bid under the Usman-led national leadership.
