The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has called on the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and other aggrieved members to reconcile with the party and return to its fold.
Abure’s plea follows months of internal disputes, particularly after the controversial Nnewi convention that reelected him as chairman. Dissenting stakeholders, including Obi and Otti, criticized the process, citing a lack of inclusivity. This led to the creation of a 29-member caretaker committee in July, chaired by former Minister of Finance, Nnenadi Usman, with a mandate to oversee a fresh election for party executives.
However, Abure’s position was reaffirmed by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which ruled in his favor as the legitimate LP national chairman. Since the ruling, Abure has been striving to mend relations within the party.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with *Saturday PUNCH*, Abure dismissed claims of an ongoing crisis, emphasizing the court’s decision and urging unity.
“There is no more crisis in the party. The court has said there is only one leader in LP. Those who felt offended should return to the party. We have forgiven everyone and put the past behind us. LP is one big family,” Abure stated.
He also expressed concern over the hardship Nigerians are facing and highlighted the need for electoral reforms to address leadership challenges.
“Our country is at a crossroads. It’s not just about leadership but also followership. We need a change in mindset and philosophy. Electoral reform is critical to ensuring leaders with dignity and integrity emerge to drive development,” he added.
Abure’s call for unity comes at a crucial time for the Labour Party, as it seeks to consolidate its position as a major political force ahead of future elections.
