Julius Abure, the embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, has declared that the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election is no longer reserved exclusively for former candidate Peter Obi....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
Speaking at a press briefing after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, Abure stated that the ticket is now open to all members of the party.
“NEC in session also reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti, respectively,” Abure said. “Consequently, all party tickets from the Presidency to the House of Assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”
Abure further clarified that there will be no automatic second-term ticket for Abia State Governor Alex Otti, making it clear that the governorship position will also be open to other aspirants.
Additionally, Abure criticized Governor Otti’s involvement in a stakeholders’ meeting that resulted in the creation of a caretaker committee led by former Senator Nenadi Usman. Abure argued that Otti lacked the constitutional authority to convene such a meeting.
“The NEC in session noted that the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Alex Otti, who convened the meeting, did not have the power within the Party’s Constitution as provided in Article 14 (4) (B) which grants the authority to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman,” Abure explained. “NEC in session further reiterates that the Governor of Abia State does not even have the power to call his Ward Executive meeting without the approval and the consent of his Ward Chairman.”
Abure also condemned the meeting as a violation of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates at least 21 days’ notice to the Commission for conventions, congresses, or meetings convened for nominating candidates.
“No governor that we gave a ticket can harass us out of office; no governor, no matter how highly placed, will come and with a fiat, dissolve the NWC, dissolve state councils, or dissolve LG councils; even a military government would not do that,” Abure asserted. “The mandate given to me and my team as leaders of the Labour Party at the convention of the party held on the 27th day of March 2024, will be defended.”
He also expressed concerns over recent developments within the party, particularly a meeting held in Abia State that he claimed was an attempt to create division. “This meeting, held without the authority or consent of the National Executive Council, sought to install a so-called ‘new leadership’,” Abure said. “Let me be clear: this action was not just illegal. It was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for. A reward for loyalty with ingratitude, a reward for support with insubordination.”
