… Shifts primary to May 30, 2026

By Ahmed Akanbi

The leadership crisis in the Labour Party has worsened after reconciliation talks between factional National Chairman, Julius Abure, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, ended in a deadlock.

The party has also announced the postponement of its primary elections from May 27 to 30, 2026 in deference to the upcoming Sallah holidays.

Abure said the failed meeting was not about money, dismissing reports that financial demands stalled the negotiations.

Speaking in an interview, the factional chairman said the closed-door engagement was convened solely to explore peace and build unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the talks collapsed because Governor Otti insisted that the existing party structure must be dissolved before any agreement could be reached.

“We need to make it categorically clear that the meeting we had with Governor Otti was purely for reconciliation and how to forge ahead. But that meeting produced no headway because the governor refused to shift from his earlier position,” Abure stated.

He alleged that Otti demanded control of key structures within the party. These included positions in the National Working Committee, as well as influence over governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly tickets in Abia State and other states of interest.

Abure further claimed that his camp made concessions during the meeting. He said they offered strategic national positions to Otti’s allies, but the governor rejected all proposals.

The Labour Party chieftain added that Otti maintained that the party structure had already been filled by his loyalists, leaving no room for compromise.

Abure also denied reports that his faction requested money from the Abia governor as a condition for reconciliation.

“At no time was the issue of money discussed. Nobody made any financial requests, and nobody offered any money to anyone,” he said.

He described the allegations as deliberate misinformation aimed at misleading party supporters and the public.

The factional chairman expressed disappointment over the outcome, blaming what he called Otti’s “intransigence” for the failure of the talks.

Despite the setback, Abure said his faction would continue efforts to “recover the party” from individuals allegedly working to destabilise the Labour Party.

He noted that the opposition party remains divided, with two factions laying claim to its national leadership and control of party structures in several states.

The crisis has affected the party’s preparations for future elections, including candidate selection and internal appointments.

Abure, however, expressed confidence that the dispute would be resolved by the Supreme Court. He said an appeal has already been filed before the apex court seeking a final determination on the party’s leadership.

Political observers say the outcome of the court case will determine the direction of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For now, the collapse of the Otti-Abure talks leaves the party’s reconciliation process stalled, with both factions maintaining hardline positions.

END

 2027: NNPP Alleges INEC Delay on Primaries, Threatens Nationwide Protest

By Ahmed Akanbi

A faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of frustrating its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party alleged deliberate delays in the conduct of party primaries and non-compliance with court directives on its leadership structure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NNPP National Secretary, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, said the party may be compelled to mobilise supporters for a nationwide protest if INEC fails to address the bottlenecks.

Olaposi said the party has exhausted all legal avenues, including court actions, to compel INEC to recognise and act on valid judicial rulings concerning its leadership.

According to him, INEC’s continued delay in implementing those decisions is creating tension within the party and threatening its full participation in the electoral process.

“We have used all legal means through the courts to ensure compliance with valid orders, but the delays persist,” Olaposi stated.

He alleged that the situation may be linked to unresolved internal disputes within the party.

The National Secretary recalled a recent engagement between NNPP leaders and INEC officials, including the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

He said the meeting raised expectations that have yet to be fulfilled.

“The INEC Chairman assured us the Commission would respond promptly, but nothing concrete has been done since then,” he said.

Olaposi further alleged that a court had directed INEC to recognise the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, led by Dr. Agbo Major.

He claimed the court also ordered INEC to update its official records accordingly within 72 hours, an order he said has not been obeyed months after issuance.

He described the alleged non-compliance as “unfortunate and dangerous for Nigeria’s democratic process,” insisting that no institution is above the law.

“The only legal options open to INEC in such circumstances are to appeal or seek a stay of execution, which it has not done,” he added.

The NNPP spokesperson also accused the electoral body of continued recognition of a rival faction linked to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying the situation undermines neutrality and the legitimacy of the party.

Olaposi maintained that the party would not hesitate to exercise its constitutional right to peaceful protest if the issues remain unresolved.

Warning that exclusion from electoral processes would not be tolerated, he said: “We cannot sit back and watch INEC deny a duly registered political party its right to fully participate in elections.”

Despite the threat of protest, the party said it remains open to dialogue, urging INEC to act swiftly to prevent further escalation of tensions ahead of the 2027 polls.

The NNPP has been engulfed in a leadership tussle between factions loyal to Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, with both camps claiming control of the party structure.