May 09, (THEWILL) – The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) escalated on Thursday night, following the suspension of its factional National Chairman, Julius Abure, and dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC).
THEWILL reports that the Abure-led faction had, on Wednesday, announced the suspension of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe and four others over alleged anti-party activities.
But a counter statement issued by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee (LP-NCC) late Thursday, announced the suspension of Abure and the factional Secretary of the party, Farouk Umar, for a period of six months.
The statement directed all members of Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) to cease acting as representatives of the Party’s NWC.
The Committee restated its commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and discipline within its ranks.
Signed by Usman and the Caretaker Committee Secretary, Darlington Nwokocha, the statement read: “Following an in-depth investigation by a committee led by Senator Ireti Kingibe and High Chief Peter Ameh, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has ratified the committee’s recommendations concerning the anti-party activities and gross misappropriation of party funds by the former acting National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, and others. The investigative report revealed significant financial misconduct and prompted the following disciplinary actions:
“Barr. Julius Abure has been suspended for an initial period of six months and is prohibited from presenting himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
“Mr Umar Farouk, the former National Secretary, was identified as a co-signer in most of the fraudulent bank withdrawals and transfers alongside Abure. Consequently, he has also been suspended for an initial six-month period, pending further investigation.
“All members of Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) are directed to cease acting as representatives of the Labour Party’s NWC. The NEC emphasises that failure to adhere to these disciplinary measures will result in more severe consequences.
“The Labour Party remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and discipline within its ranks.”
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