Umuahia, Abia State – Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has appealed to the factional leader of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, and his supporters to end their internal conflicts and return to the fold following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) removal of the Abure-led national executive from its official portal.
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia on Thursday, February 2, 2026, Governor Otti described the Labour Party as a “formidable force” despite the high-profile exit of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the defection of several lawmakers and executive members.
“We regret the exit of our former leader and presidential candidate. While we regret it, we are working to resolve the problems in the party so that everyone can come together and make the party stronger,” Otti said.
The governor acknowledged the loss of key figures, including some national assembly members and interim national committee members, but insisted that the party remains resilient. “In my opinion, the party should come together and become a stronger force. We have also lost a few members to defection… but despite that, we are still a very strong force,” he added.
The appeal comes after INEC updated its list of registered political parties on its website, removing the Julius Abure-led national executive of the Labour Party. The commission’s action followed a long-running leadership crisis in the party, marked by parallel conventions, court battles, and conflicting claims to the national chairmanship.
Otti stressed the need for reconciliation and unity within the Labour Party. He endorsed the recommendation by the party’s national working committee to establish a reconciliation committee aimed at bringing back aggrieved members.
“The idea is to reconcile everyone who is willing and desires to come back to the party,” he said. “I call on Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and come back to the party. Once they are willing to abide by the rules, we will be happy to receive them.”
The governor’s intervention is significant given his position as one of the most prominent Labour Party governors in Nigeria and a key figure in the party’s South-East base. His call for peace reflects growing concern among LP stakeholders that prolonged infighting could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Labour Party crisis escalated after the 2023 general elections, when Peter Obi’s strong performance raised expectations of a major opposition force. However, disputes over party control, funding, and leadership style led to factionalisation. Abure’s faction has faced legal challenges, including court rulings questioning the validity of certain conventions, while rival groups have emerged claiming legitimacy.
INEC’s delisting of the Abure executive has intensified the crisis, with Abure describing it as politically motivated and vowing to challenge the decision legally. Supporters of the faction have accused the commission of bias, while critics argue the move reflects internal contradictions within the party.
Governor Otti, who won the 2023 Abia governorship election on the Labour Party platform, has maintained a neutral public posture on the leadership tussle but has consistently advocated for unity and institutional discipline.
Political analysts say the governor’s intervention could help de-escalate tensions if key actors respond positively. However, deep-seated grievances over control of party structures, funding, and candidate selection may make immediate reconciliation difficult.
The Labour Party remains one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing opposition parties, particularly in the South-East and South-South, where it controls governorships in Abia and Imo states. A successful resolution of the crisis could strengthen its position as a viable alternative ahead of 2027.
The governor’s statement has been welcomed by many party faithful who see it as a pragmatic call for unity at a time when the party faces both internal and external challenges.
As the reconciliation process unfolds, all eyes are on whether Abure and other factional leaders will accept the olive branch extended by one of the party’s most influential governors.
