Abure Faction Accuses Peter Obi and Governor Otti of Betrayal, Cites Disloyalty After 2023 Election Support

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has accused the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of betraying the party after the significant sacrifices made for them during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, expressed disappointment that despite the Labour Party’s support for leaders like Obi and Otti, they have now sidelined the party.

Ifoh highlighted that many of these leaders, once struggling to secure party nominations, had relied heavily on the Labour Party for their political survival. He noted that some couldn’t even afford nomination forms, but the party leadership worked tirelessly to canvass for votes and support across the country.

“We stood by our presidential candidate through thick and thin, faced judicial hurdles, and endured immense pressure. Now, these leaders are distancing themselves from the very party that supported them,” Ifoh remarked.

He further criticized these leaders for aligning themselves with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the same body they previously condemned for undermining the 2023 elections.

“We find it paradoxical that those who were victims of INEC’s actions during the election are now joining forces with the Commission against the Labour Party leadership,” Ifoh added.

The faction reiterated that the current National Working Committee remains a product of a valid convention, which can only be replaced in 2028 through another party convention.