A fresh internal crisis has erupted within the Labour Party as Abia State Governor Alex Otti and the party’s national leadership clash with embattled former National Chairman Julius Abure over the sale of nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The dispute intensified after viral images surfaced showing Abure presenting nomination forms to party members in Abia State, an action the party’s current leadership described as illegitimate.
Reacting on Sunday, Labour Party National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa warned aspirants against obtaining forms from Abure, insisting such documents are invalid.
He stated that only the faction led by Nenadi Usman is authorised to issue nomination forms through the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
According to him, any forms obtained outside the recognised leadership structure are “worthless paper” and should be disregarded by aspirants.
The party also questioned Abure’s decision to distribute forms in Abia State, while accusing him of disregarding court rulings and engaging in impersonation.
Governor Otti’s camp also weighed in, arguing that multiple court judgments and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already recognised the Usman-led leadership structure.
A spokesperson for Otti, Ukoha Ukoha, said continuing to act under Abure’s authority amounted to contempt of court, adding that INEC had complied with existing rulings.
However, supporters of Abure insist the legal dispute over party leadership remains unresolved at the Supreme Court, and therefore both factions retain some legitimacy.
A representative of the Abure camp, Obiora Ifoh, argued that the faction remains valid until a final court ruling is delivered, insisting that congresses and party structures across states are still active.
He also confirmed his own candidacy for a House of Representatives seat in Abia State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, the leadership dispute has deepened concerns over unity within the Labour Party as preparations for the next general election intensify, with both factions continuing to assert authority over party operations and candidate selection.
