Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has strongly rejected reports of his suspension by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP). In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti described the news as a “joke taken too far” and an attack on Nigeria’s democracy. He also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Abure for alleged impersonation.

Otti clarified that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had already ruled that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party. The ruling came after the court found that Abure’s position had been challenged, and the Caretaker Committee, led by Nenadi Usman, had stripped him of the authority to claim the title of National Chairman. According to Otti, this decision should have put an end to any confusion regarding Abure’s role within the party.

Addressing the suspension, Otti said the public should ignore the announcement made by Abure. He noted that the timing of the news was suspicious, especially since it followed shortly after Abure was summoned by the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee. Abure had been asked to answer allegations of financial mismanagement, misconduct, and anti-party activities. Otti suggested that Abure rushed to the press to distract from the investigation and avoid facing the charges.

In his statement, Otti’s spokesperson further emphasized that Abure’s actions—particularly his attempt to announce Otti’s suspension—were an attempt to undermine the ongoing investigation into his conduct. The Governor’s camp insists that Abure’s behavior amounts to impersonating the position of National Chairman and called for his immediate arrest.

Finally, Otti urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the integrity of the legal decision and safeguard the nation’s democracy. Otti’s call for action highlights the importance of respecting judicial rulings and protecting political processes from manipulation.

This incident has raised serious concerns about leadership within the Labour Party and the potential consequences for those who disregard the law for personal or political gain. Governor Otti’s strong response shows his commitment to protecting the values of democracy and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria.