Abia State Governor and national leader of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Alex Otti, has moved to decisively reassert authority within the party, declaring that the ousted factional National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his supporters may only return if they formally submit to the Nenadi Usman-led Interim National Working Committee (NWC).

Otti’s position follows the January 21 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which removed Abure as national chairman after months of internal disputes that crippled the party’s operations and public standing.
In compliance with the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) subsequently delisted the Abure-led executives from its records and recognised the Nenadi Usman-led Interim NWC, bringing an end to months of parallel leadership that left the party unable to function, field candidates, or speak with one voice.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday night, Otti struck a firm but conciliatory tone, declaring that the era of factionalism in the Labour Party was over and that reconciliation would only take place within the framework of the party’s constitution.

“Once they are willing to abide by the rules of the party, we would be happy to receive them,” he said, urging Abure and his supporters to “sheath their swords” and return to the fold.
The governor spoke after a meeting of the expanded National Working Committee held at the Abia State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and members of the party’s Board of Trustees.

The gathering followed a decisive Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, which reaffirmed that political parties must strictly adhere to their constitutions in resolving internal disputes.
Acting on that ruling, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court later declared former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, as the legitimate leader of the party pending the conduct of a national convention.
Following the judgment, INEC updated its portal to reflect the Nenadi Usman-led Interim NWC — a development Otti described as a turning point for the party.

“For the first time in months, the Labour Party can now move forward,” he said.
According to Otti, the meeting focused on rebuilding collapsed party structures nationwide, with approval granted for Ward, State, and Zonal Congresses ahead of a national convention.
He also announced that a nationwide membership revalidation and registration exercise would commence in March.

Despite the reset, Otti acknowledged the political cost of the crisis, confirming that the party would be unable to participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections.
“It is painful, but unavoidable,” he said, blaming the leadership crisis and conflicting court orders that had previously constrained.