In what appears to be a move deep in controversy, officials of the Labour Party has suspended Abia State Governor Alex Otti, the party’s interim chairperson, Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator representing Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe and other high ranking members in alleged anti-party activities.
In a statement on Wednesday, the party slammed the suspension on the governor and others after it said its investigative committee finished their findings.
“Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a Five man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members over allegations of anti party activities.
The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.
Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect.
1. Dr. Alex Otti
2. Senator Ireti Kingibe
3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha
4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene
5. Hon. Amobi Ogah
6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi
By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note.
It will surprise Nigerians and party faithfuls that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party. First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party being not a card carrying member of the Party. We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.
Again, we are aware that Ms Usman recently in a well televised occasion, in cohort with a former Kaduna state governor joined another political party where she pledged loyalty to the party. We are clearly confused where Usman Nenadi’s loyalty lies,” the statement signed by Umar Farouk Ibrahim, National Secretary of the Julius Abure-led Executive Committee read in parts.
The party has been immersed in leadership crisis after the supreme court sacked Abure and Governor Otti asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Usman as Caretaker chairmman of the party.