Factional Labour Party chairman, Julius Abure, visits Wike in Abuja

The factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, paid a surprise visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at the latter’s Abuja residence on Sunday, in a move that has ignited a storm of political speculation and online reactions.

Photos from the meeting were shared by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, on his official Facebook page, sparking questions about the motive behind the visit.

Although the details of their discussions remain undisclosed, the timing and optics of the meeting have drawn widespread attention, especially in light of recent internal turmoil within the Labour Party.

The Edo-born Abure, whose position as national chairman remains contentious following a Supreme Court ruling, has been at loggerheads with key figures in the party — notably the 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.

Both Obi and Otti had earlier aligned with the court’s decision that reportedly nullified Abure’s leadership, although Abure has publicly maintained that he was not removed from office.

Tensions escalated further when Abure recently threatened disciplinary action against Obi for associating with the emerging political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move perceived by some as Obi’s quiet departure from the LP’s fractious leadership.

Sunday’s meeting with Wike, a former PDP governor of Rivers State and a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu, has therefore raised eyebrows, especially given Wike’s alleged role in frustrating Obi’s electoral chances in Rivers during the 2023 presidential poll.

Political analysts suggest the meeting could signal a realignment of forces ahead of the 2027 elections or a strategic outreach by Abure amid his waning influence in the Labour Party.

So far, neither Abure nor Wike has issued an official statement on the outcome of the meeting.