The faction of the Labour Party (LP) aligned with Abia State Governor Alex Otti is calling for reconciliation following a Federal High Court decision that recognized Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party, effectively removing Julius Abure as national chairman.
In a statement, the Interim National Chairman, Usman, welcomed the ruling as an opportunity for healing internal divisions. She urged party members to avoid triumphalism and to instead see this moment as a chance for genuine reconciliation and unity.
However, Abure has rejected the court’s judgment and plans to appeal, citing previous Supreme Court rulings that affirmed his leadership. The Abure faction criticized the court’s decision as an overreach and inconsistent with established legal precedents.
Despite the division, the Usman-led faction called for dialogue among all party members, particularly those who may feel aggrieved, to foster unity and rebuild the party into a credible opposition force in Nigeria.
To facilitate this, Usman announced the establishment of a Truce and Reconciliation Committee aimed at addressing grievances and restoring harmony. The faction also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with the court’s judgment and recognize Usman’s leadership.
As the legal dispute continues, the Abure faction has urged its supporters to remain calm and has committed to exhausting all legal options to regain its position, emphasizing that the political battle over the party’s leadership is far from over.
