The Nenadi Usman`s caretaker committee of the Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday set up a 4-man disciplinary committee to probe the activities of embattled national chairman of the party, Julius Abure, and to sanction him accordingly.
The move, the committee said followed the insistence of Abure, to parade himself as the chairman of the party after a Supreme Court judgment which `sacked` him from office.
The committee is chaired by Senator Ireti Kingibe, with Chief Peter Ameh as its Secretary.
Recall, the Supreme Court in a lead judgment prepared by Justice John Okoro and read by Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, held that the Court of Appeal, Abuja, lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure as the National Chairman of the LP having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
It held that the issue of leadership was an internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction.
The court therefore, allowed the appeal filed by Nenadi Usman and one other and held that it was meritorious.
During Wednesday’s press briefing in Abuja, Senator Usman accused Abure of running the Labour Party as a personal enterprise to pursue selfish ambitions.
She stated that rather than fostering unity, Abure allegedly exploited his position for personal enrichment.
To address these allegations, the disciplinary panel is tasked with investigating the allegations against Abure and recommending appropriate disciplinary measures.
The committee has summoned Abure to appear before the disciplinary panel to respond to various petitions and charges brought against him.
Furthermore, the caretaker committee criticised Abure’s alleged hijacking of party structures without following due process, including the failure to conduct ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses ahead of a national convention.
The Nenadi Usman-led team pledged to restore internal democracy, announcing that a timetable for proper congresses and the election of national executives will be released soon.
Recall, a few days ago the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party set up a disciplinary committee to investigate allegations of anti-party activities against Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and other members.
It said “NEC reviewed the anti party activities of Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor” and other errant members and consequently set up a disciplinary committee. The committee chaired by Ayo Olorunfemi, was given two weeks to submit its report.
Meanwhile, the Abure faction of the party in a reaction to the outcome of the Nenadi Usman`s NEC meeting held on Wednesday, slammed indefinite suspension on the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Sen Darlington Nwokocha, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Sowumi and Ogah.
A statement by the National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said “the National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.”
He said that this followed the conclusion of the assignment of the Disciplinary Committee which submitted their report to the party leadership.
Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a Five man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr.Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members over allegations of anti party activities.
The statement reads, “Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect; Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.”
The National Secretary said by the suspension, the former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party.
“All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note.
“It will surprise Nigerians and party faithfuls that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party.
“First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party being not a card carrying member of the Party.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.
“Again, we are aware that Ms Usman recently in a well televised occasion, in cohort with a former Kaduna state governor joined another political party where she pledged loyalty to the party. We are clearly confused where Usman Nenadi’s loyalty lies.
“The party leadership is also surprised that Nenadi Usman is talking about corruption when indeed she is the headmistress of corruption. Nigerians are already aware of all the EFCC cases against her and we expect Ms Usman to come out and explain to Nigerians the story behind her Plea Bargain with EFCC and all the properties she allegedly forfeited.
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption.
“In any event, the party’s financial records are straight and it will interest the members of the public to know that the party’s audited account has been published. INEC being the regulatory body sent their external auditors to audit the party’s account and they gave a clean report and as well commended the party for its financial transparency. It is on record that among the comity of Political Parties in Nigeria, Labour Party financial records was adjudged to be among the best.
“Finally, the party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition and we want to reiterate that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger. Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition; those driving the agenda lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement.
These are people who have failed to manage one political party, how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests. Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as stand alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”
