The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria is going through a major leadership crisis. Many members no longer accept Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman. They have instead shown support for a caretaker committee created by party leaders.
Julius Abure, however, claims the recent Supreme Court ruling confirmed his position as chairman. But the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) held a meeting without him, which was backed by Peter Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
Abure had warned them not to hold the meeting, but they went ahead anyway. They also submitted a certified copy of the Supreme Court judgment to INEC, insisting that the ruling did not affirm Abure’s leadership.
Speaking about the crisis on Channels Television, Laolu Akande, former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said it’s time for Abure to step aside. Akande said that the Labour Party once gave people hope and showed that new leadership is possible in Nigeria. But now, things are falling apart.
He believes that Julius Abure is now the biggest obstacle to progress in the party. According to Akande, “Everyone who matters in the Labour Party knows that Abure’s time is up.”
He also pointed out that Abure was the one who went to court to stop INEC from recognizing his removal, even though his term had already ended. The Supreme Court refused to get involved, meaning the decision goes back to how things were before—when Abure was no longer chairman.
Akande advised Abure to let go of power with dignity. He said, “He should do the right thing and keep some of his honour. It’s clear his time is over.”
When asked why Abure is still holding on, Akande said that Abure is acting like a typical Nigerian politician who refuses to step down, even when his time is up. He added that there might be outside forces influencing Abure, although there’s no clear proof.
“We’re not ruling out external influences,” Akande said. “But right now, what’s important is that Abure steps aside for the good of Nigeria.”
He concluded by saying that a united and well-organized Labour Party can still offer fresh hope to Nigerians—if selfish interests don’t get in the way.
