A faction of the Labour Party aligned with Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi has announced that it secured a court order stopping nationwide congresses planned by the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The interim injunction, reportedly issued by the Abia State High Court in Isiala Ngwa on November 26, was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the faction’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Ife Salako.
According to the statement, in Suit No. HIN/47/2025, the court restrained Abure and his NWC from conducting ward, local government, and state congresses.
The faction urged party members nationwide to disregard the exercises, describing them as “illegal” and “null and void.” It further called on the Inspector-General of Police to arrest anyone attempting to proceed with the congresses scheduled for December 2, 4, and 6, and advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid involvement until a legitimate timetable is issued.
In a swift response, the Abure-led camp dismissed the claims, insisting the order applies only to Abia State. National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh accused the Otti faction of misinforming Nigerians, stressing that congresses would go ahead in the remaining 35 states.
“No court in Nigeria has ordered the cancellation of the congresses by our party. Rather, a group of dissidents went forum shopping and got a rural court in Abia State to stop our congresses there,” Ifoh said. He added that the Supreme Court had already validated Abure’s leadership and accused the opposing faction of panic after INEC recognised Abure’s NWC.
The dispute reveals the deepening crisis within the Labour Party. Just days earlier, another faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman submitted a fresh 34-man list of its own NWC to INEC, further escalating the leadership struggle.
With multiple factions laying claim to legitimacy, the party faces yet another round of legal battles and political brinkmanship, with no clear resolution in sight.
