Acting Chairman of the Labour Party in Abia State, Prince G.O. Ndubueze, has accused Governor Alex Otti and his deputy of working against the interests of the party and disobeying its national leadership, describing their recent actions as “flagrant disobedience” and a deliberate attempt to undermine party structures in the state.
Speaking after a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held in Aba on Thursday, Prince Ndubueze said the meeting—convened by the State Working Committee in collaboration with Local Government Party Chairmen and Secretaries—was necessary to clarify the position of the party in light of recent developments, particularly the Supreme Court judgment which reaffirmed the party’s internal leadership processes.
“The Supreme Court judgment was clear—it referred the issue back to the constitution of the Labour Party. And by that constitution, Barrister Julius Abure remains the duly elected National Chairman,” he said.
Ndubueze alleged that Governor Otti and his deputy, despite rising to power under the Labour Party’s platform, have sidelined party structures and stakeholders in the state. He claimed no member of the original state party executive or founding Labour Party members in Abia has received a government appointment or patronage since Otti assumed office.
“Governor Otti has jettisoned Labour Party structures in favour of his private political movement, Abia Arise. He never consulted the party during his campaign. Even after the Supreme Court ruling, he went ahead to inaugurate *Abia Arise* leaders in all 17 LGAs instead of meeting with Labour Party officials. That speaks volumes,” Ndubueze declared.
On the ongoing leadership tussle within the party, Ndubueze slammed what he described as “impersonation” by former state chairman Emmanuel Otti, insisting that Otti had been removed and that any continued recognition by the governor was politically motivated.
He also hinted that the SEC would recommend punitive measures to the national leadership of the party over what he called “anti-party activities” by Governor Otti and others, though he noted that only the national body has the constitutional authority to suspend them.
“We have made it clear: Dr. Alex Otti is not sincerely a member of the Labour Party. His actions have shown that. We will send our report and recommendation to Abuja for necessary disciplinary action,” he added.
Reacting to calls for reconciliation made by the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, Ndubueze maintained that the initiative must be rooted in respect for the party’s constitution and its legitimate leadership. He described the National Chairman, Julius Abure, as “the mother” of the Labour Party, who carried both Otti and Obi politically, and expressed disappointment in what he described as their failure to unite the party after benefiting from its platform.
“We are not missing Peter Obi or Alex Otti,” he said bluntly. “They have done nothing to strengthen the party after benefiting from its platform. Labour Party gave them life, not the other way round.”
Prince Ndubueze also dismissed recent moves by Lamidi Apapa and others to resurface in the national debate, calling them distractions and political opportunists taking advantage of confusion.
By Enyimba 94.3FM Aba
