Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has pointed a finger at Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), as the key factor behind the recent wave of defections within the party.
Okonkwo made these remarks in a statement released on Thursday via his X account, suggesting that the defections reflect a widespread loss of confidence in Abure’s leadership.
In his statement, Okonkwo argued that the departure of elected members from the party serves as clear evidence of their dissatisfaction with Abure’s leadership. He called for Abure to step down from his position as National Chairman in order to give the Labour Party a chance to rebuild and position itself as a strong opposition force capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
“The defection of @NgLabour elected members clearly indicates a loss of confidence in Abure and the army of his incompetent, corrupt, and confused leadership of @NgLabour,” Okonkwo wrote. He added that Abure still has an opportunity to repair the damage done to his and the party’s reputation, urging him to resign and make way for new leadership that could lead the party through the necessary reforms to become a formidable challenger to the APC.
The call for Abure’s resignation comes in the wake of significant setbacks for the Labour Party. Notably, Udengs Eradiri, the LP’s governorship candidate in the recent Bayelsa State election, alongside his running mate, retired Commodore Benjamin Nathus, both announced their resignation from the party. This move was followed by several local government chairmen from Bayelsa, who also chose to leave the LP and align with Eradiri and Nathus in their decision.
The defections do not stop there; a number of lawmakers have also left the Labour Party, opting to join the APC in recent days, further signaling a weakening of the party’s influence and leadership.
Okonkwo’s statement adds to growing concerns within the LP about its ability to present a united front and effectively challenge the ruling APC in the upcoming elections. For now, the party faces an uphill battle as it grapples with internal divisions and leadership crises.
