Labour Party Faction Accuses Peter Obi, Alex Otti of Undermining Party Leadership with INEC

A faction of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of targeting the party due to its defense of its Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, during the 2023 elections.

At a press conference in Abuja, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, voiced frustrations, accusing both Obi and Otti of betraying the party’s principles by working with INEC, the same body accused of compromising the election process.

The Labour Party raised concerns over a recent INEC counter-affidavit questioning the validity of its National Working Committee (NWC) and refusing to recognize the March 2024 National Convention, where Abure was re-elected as chairman.

Ifoh also accused Obi and Otti of convening a controversial stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia to install a caretaker committee, further escalating tensions within the party.

The Labour Party has filed a lawsuit against INEC for excluding the party from election preparations in Edo and Ondo states, while INEC contends the party’s leadership is no longer valid.

Abure’s faction expressed disappointment in Obi and Otti for not standing by the party during this difficult period, especially given their roles in the 2023 general elections.