The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) deepened on Tuesday as the National Working Committee announced the indefinite suspension of Abia State Governor Alex Otti and five other top members of the party for alleged anti-party activities.
In a press statement signed by Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the national secretary, on Wednesday, the party said the suspension, which takes immediate effect, followed the recommendation of a five-member disciplinary committee set up by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on May 2, 2025.
Others affected by the sanction include Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
“Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect,” the statement read. “By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party.”
The party said all relevant institutions, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies, have been notified.
The LP also aimed at Nenadi Usman, factional caretaker committee chairman, dismissing her as not being a registered member of the party and questioning her moral standing following her alleged corruption cases.
“We have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party being not a card-carrying member of the party,” the statement said. “She is a member of the Obidient Support Group… we will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.”
The statement further accused Usman of hypocrisy, challenging her to “explain to Nigerians the story behind her Plea Bargain with EFCC and all the properties she allegedly forfeited.”
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations,” it said.
Addressing concerns around the party’s finances, the LP insisted that its books had been properly audited and cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The party’s audited account has been published. INEC being the regulatory body sent their external auditors to audit the party’s account and they gave a clean report and as well commended the party for its financial transparency,” the statement said.
The party reiterated its rejection of any proposed coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Labour Party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger,” it said. “The protagonists of the coalition… lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement.”
The statement added that the LP would “prosecute the 2027 general election as a stand-alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”
