There is rising tension among the opposition Labour Party (LP) members as a result of rumors that some of its prominent members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, are about to defect in large numbers.
According to information gathered, some members are allegedly holding off on acting until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issues a final statement about the Supreme Court’s decision in the labour party leadership tussle.
According to a high-ranking labour party official with knowledge of the issue who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the delicate nature of the subject, Governor Otti was speaking with the APC on “personal terms,”
However, “The governor has not yet moved because his conditions have not been met,” the official stated.
“He wants the APC leadership to grant him and all members of his State House of Assembly as well as the National Assembly to be given a right of first refusal with respect to the 2027 tickets.
“The party is asking him to join in his own capacity, promising to make that concession arguing that extending the same courtesies to his lawmakers had the potential of throwing the party into turmoil. One thing I know for sure is that negotiations have reached an advanced stage” he added
Governor Otti and Mr. Peter Obi, the LP’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, have since distanced themselves from the National Working Committee (NWC), which is led by Julius Abure.
Rather, they have stood behind the National Caretaker Committee, which was established in large part by both of them and is led by Senator Nenadi Usman.
Recall that Otti acknowledged encouraging his supporters in Abia State to defect and join “a political party of their choice” in order to win 15 of the 17 seats in the Local Council elections in November 2024. Many of them joined the Zenith Labour Party, which won the remaining 2 seats.
At the moment, Senator Nanedi Usman is in charge of the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee, however, Julius Abure maintains that the party’s constitution does not allow for such a body, hence he continues to serve as National Chairman.
Both parties are awaiting INEC’s stance, which is anticipated to be determined by the ruling of the Supreme Court.
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[…] fact that Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has denied the rumour that he is perfecting plans to dump the Labour Party for the All Progressives […]