The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has intensified, as two opposing factions continue to assert control over the party’s structure and direction.
In the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling, both camps have announced separate National Executive Council (NEC) meetings aimed at determining the future of the party.
The faction led by Comrade Julius Abure has called for a NEC meeting on Monday, signaling its intent to consolidate authority and chart a path forward. According to a notice issued late Sunday, the Abure-led leadership has invited “relevant stakeholders” to attend the meeting, insisting that the recent legal developments will not deter their plans for the party.
Meanwhile, a rival group backed by former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced its own NEC gathering, scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th, in Abuja. This meeting, organized under the banner of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), will be followed by a high-level Town Hall Engagement with major party stakeholders at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The Obi/Otti camp has described the meeting as a critical step in repositioning the Labour Party in the aftermath of the Supreme Court verdict, which they believe nullified Abure’s continued claim to leadership.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, spokesperson for POMR, the Obi-led faction emphasized the inclusive nature of the upcoming session. Attendees are expected to include the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, serving and former senators, as well as current and past members of the House of Representatives.
Also slated to attend are members of the National Caretaker Committee, former gubernatorial candidates, and representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Political Commission—two organizations with deep ties to the party’s foundation.
The split within the Labour Party has become increasingly public, with both sides refusing to concede legitimacy to the other. Observers fear that unless swiftly resolved, the crisis could undermine the party’s growing popularity and disrupt its preparations for future elections.
Political analysts have urged both factions to prioritize unity and engage in constructive dialogue for the sake of the party’s stability and credibility, especially as it positions itself as a major opposition force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
As both meetings loom, all eyes are on Abuja to see whether either faction will emerge with a stronger claim to the party’s leadership—or if the stalemate will further fracture the LP.
