Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has dismissed his purported suspension by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), calling it a baseless move lacking legal standing.
Governor Otti was among several top party figures, including Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi, who were suspended indefinitely on Wednesday over alleged anti-party activities, according to a report issued by a panel set up by the Abure-led leadership.
Reacting to the development, Otti, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, stated that Julius Abure no longer holds the legal authority to act as the party’s National Chairman.
“For the record, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has rightly and unambiguously stated that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party,” Ekeoma said.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the suspension, describing it as a diversionary tactic to evade accountability.
“Just hours after being summoned by a committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman to answer allegations of gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, impersonation, and anti-party activities, Mr. Abure ran to the media to announce the so-called suspension of Governor Otti and other prominent members of the party,” he stated.
The governor’s media aide further called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest Abure for impersonation, and urged INEC to enforce the Supreme Court judgment, which he said affirmed Abure’s removal.
“This is necessary to uphold the integrity of the Supreme Court and protect the sanctity of our democracy,” the statement concluded.
