In a decisive action, the National Working Committee led by Julius Abure has disbanded the Abia State Interim Leadership Committee, signaling a significant shift in party dynamics and leadership structure within the state.
The dissolution of the Abia State Working Committee (SWC) was detailed in a letter from the Abure-led faction to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dated Monday, October 14, 2024.
The letter, jointly signed by Abure and factional National Secretary Umar Farouk Ibrahim, also announced the appointment of a 15-member Caretaker Committee led by Dr. G. O. Ndubueze to oversee the party's operations.
They announced that the appointment of the Interim Committee for the party's sole controlled state takes immediate effect.
According to the Abure-led NWC, the newly formed Caretaker Committee will serve for three months, during which a permanent leadership will be established.
“In exercise of the power bestowed upon by the Labour Party Constitution ,Article 13 ,3,B ,vi, to dissolve and reconstitute State Executive Council/State Working Committee where necessary, pending the next state Congress, the National Working Committee hereby dissolves and appoints a Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the party in Abia state” part of the letter reads.
Our correspondent had reported that the party faced a significant leadership crisis on September 4, 2024, when the Abure-led National Working Committee was replaced by a 29-member Interim National Committee headed by Esther Nenadi Usman, escalating internal tensions.
Prior to that, the party was deeply divided after its Nnewi National Convention in March of this year. The controversial convention, which faced significant boycott and disputes, resulted in the Abure-led NWC being granted a second term in leadership.
The convention was largely ignored by key party stakeholders, including Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate, his running mate Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, Dr. Alex Otti, the only governor elected on the party’s platform, and the National Assembly caucus.
They collectively accused the Abure leadership of failing to involve them in the lead-up to the convention. This pre-convention discord escalated into a full-blown crisis, with many dissatisfied members, including Obi, avoiding all LP activities.
The situation worsened when INEC refused to engage with the Abure-led NWC, asserting that their tenure had expired in June. In response to the growing threat of the party becoming inactive, major stakeholders, led by Obi and Governor Otti, convened an enlarged National Executive Council meeting in Umuahia on September 4.
However, Abure has rejected the appointment of the Nenadi Usman-led Interim National leadership, asserting the integrity of the mandate granted to his leadership in Nnewi.
Just last Wednesday, October 9, 2024, an Abuja Federal High Court affirmed the election of the Abure leadership in Nnewi, declaring it the legitimate NWC.
The organizers of the Umuahia enlarged stakeholders meeting have opted to appeal the trial court ruling, a move the Abure faction has dismissed as null and void.
In a Sunday interview with Punch on October 13, factional spokesperson Obiora Ifoh stated that the Nenadi Usman leadership is not recognized under current laws and therefore lacks the standing to contest the Nnewi Convention or the Abuja court ruling that confirmed the Abure-led NWC as the legitimate party leadership.
Ifoh expressed confidence, asserting that the party is undeterred by the appeal attempt. He also noted that key figures from the Umuahia enlarged NEC meeting, including Obi and Governor Otti, are not parties to the lawsuit. "It would be unfortunate if they chose to pursue that appeal, as one cannot contest a judgment in which they are not involved," he added.
At the time of reporting, the Usman-led NWC had not yet responded to the alleged dissolution of the State Interim Leadership.
