LP crisis: Gov Otti tells IGP to arrest Abure for impersonation

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has finally addressed the swirling controversy surrounding his alleged suspension by a faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure.

The Abure-led group had on Wednesday announced the indefinite suspension of Otti along with several other key party figures, including Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi. The faction cited alleged anti-party activities as the reason behind the decision, following a disciplinary panel’s recommendation.

Otti, however, dismissed the suspension as a political charade, questioning the legitimacy and authority of the faction behind the move. His supporters have also described the development as a distraction from his governance efforts and reforms currently underway in Abia State.

In his reaction, Governor Otti described the suspension as a political charade lacking legal standing, stressing that the faction has no constitutional authority to discipline elected officials, especially when due process is not followed.

But speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti insisted that Abure no longer has the legal standing 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 in a statement.

Otti urged Nigerians to disregard the news of his suspension by Abure.

“Just few hours after being summoned by a Committee Set up by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee to come and respond to allegations of gross misconduct bordering on financial misappropriation, impersonation and anti party activities levelled against him, Abure decided to be smart by half by rushing to the press to announce the purported suspension of Governor Otti and other eminent members of the party.

“Finally, we call on the Inspector General of Police to quickly arrest Mr. Abure for impersonation, while INEC should ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court judgement as a way of preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court and protecting our democracy,” the statement said.