LP crisis deepens as Gov Otti asks IGP to arrest Abure

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has broken his silence following reports of his suspension by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP).

On Wednesday, the faction announced the indefinite suspension of Otti alongside other prominent party members, including Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha, as well as Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi.

The decision reportedly followed the outcome of a disciplinary panel that accused them of anti-party activities.

In his reaction, Governor Otti described the suspension as a political charade lacking legal standing, stressing that the faction has no constitutional authority to discipline elected officials, especially when due process is not followed.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Labour Party suspends Gov Otti, Kingibe, others indefinitely

But speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti insisted that Abure no longer has the legal standing to act as the party’s National Chairman.

“For the record, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has rightly and unambiguously stated that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party,” Ekeoma said in a statement.

Otti urged Nigerians to disregard the news of his suspension by Abure.

“Just few hours after being summoned by a Committee Set up by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee to come and respond to allegations of gross misconduct bordering on financial misappropriation,impersonation and anti party activities levelled against him, Abure decided to be smart by half by rushing to the press to announce the purported suspension of Governor Otti and other eminent members of the party.

“Finally, we call on the Inspector General of Police to quickly arrest Mr. Abure for impersonation, while INEC should ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court judgement as a way of preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court and protecting our democracy,” the statement said.