Abia State Governor Alex Otti has strongly rejected reports of his suspension by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), labeling the move as a “joke taken too far” and a violation of democratic norms.

Speaking through his media aide Ferdinand Ekeoma on Wednesday, Otti emphasized that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had ruled Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the LP. He also cited the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which has allegedly assumed leadership of the party and stripped Abure of any official authority.

In response to the suspension announcement, Otti alleged that Abure acted in desperation just hours after being summoned by the party’s Caretaker Committee over allegations of financial misappropriation, impersonation, and anti-party activities.

Ekeoma added, “Abure’s announcement is not only false but also an attempt to undermine party processes and preempt disciplinary action.”

The governor has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Julius Abure for impersonation, and urged INEC to enforce the Supreme Court’s judgment on party leadership to safeguard democratic integrity.