Segun Adeyemi

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<h2>Labour Party's internal rift took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as embattled National Chairman Julius Abure and his National Working Committee (NWC) boycotted the party's final campaign rally ahead of the Edo State governorship election. </h2>

Held in Benin City, the rally featured prominent party figures such as Peter Obi, the Labour Party's former presidential candidate, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.

However, Abure's absence was noted amidst claims of betrayal from Obi and Otti.

Addressing the press in Abuja, Labour Party's National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, launched a scathing attack, <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/peter-obi-otti-to-convene-labour-party-stakeholders-meeting-amid-crisis/hqzbkef">accusing both leaders of conspiring with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)</a> to undermine Abure's leadership.

The Labour Party recently sued INEC to challenge its recognition of a newly installed caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman.

Ifoh expressed frustration with Obi and Otti, claiming they have turned against the party that supported their rise during the 2023 general elections.

"Our leadership went to the trenches with Obi, canvassing for votes. Today, these leaders are now dancing 'Gwo gwo gwo ngwo' with us. What a shame, what a betrayal," Ifoh lamented.

<h3>Accusations of conspiracy and betrayal rock Labour Party</h3>

The Labour Party is currently embroiled in an intense power struggle, and the absence of its National Chairman, Julius Abure, from the final Edo campaign rally has only deepened the divide.

Abure's camp <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/labour-party-accuses-inec-obi-otti-of-plotting-against-party-leadership/z9jmxzh">accuses Obi and Governor Otti of teaming up with INEC</a> to remove Abure from his position.

The dispute stems from appointing a caretaker committee led by former Senator Nenadi Usman, which Obi, Otti, and other party stakeholders endorsed.

The caretaker committee was established to take over the party's leadership, but Abure's loyalists have rejected the move, labelling it a power grab orchestrated by INEC.

At the press conference in Abuja, Ifoh expressed disbelief that those who once benefited from the Labour Party's platform, particularly Obi and Otti, are now supporting actions that undermine the party's structure.

"Many who suddenly sought the head of Julius Abure to be served on a platter were rolling on the floors, begging for tickets. Some couldn't even afford to pay for the nomination forms," Ifoh stated.

L-R: Julius Abure, Alex Otti, and Peter Obi. [Facebook/X]0

Labour Party's internal rift took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as embattled National Chairman Julius Abure and his National Working Committee (NWC) boycotted the party's final campaign rally ahead of the Edo State governorship election.

LP crisis: Abure boycotts Edo campaign, accuses Obi, Otti of conspiracy

<h2>The Labour Party has raised serious allegations against its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, accusing them of collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seize control of the party's leadership. </h2>

In a press statement, National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh claims that both leaders are attempting to undermine the party's National Working Committee (NWC).

According to the party, INEC filed a counter-affidavit alleging that the tenure of the current executives, including National Chairman Julius Abure, expired in June 2024.

The party argues that Obi and Otti are using this affidavit to justify their formation of a 29-member caretaker committee following an "illegal" stakeholders' meeting in Umuahia.

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/focus-on-governance-leave-party-matters-to-us-abure-warns-otti/cbqrc68">Abure to Otti: Focus on governance, leave party matters to us</a>

The statement decried the actions of the former presidential candidate and the governor, who are seen as turning against the party that defended them during the 2023 general elections.

"Labour Party stood by our then governorship candidate in Abia, weathering political and judicial storms. Today, these leaders are now dancing 'Gwo gwo gwo ngwo' with us. What a shame, what a betrayal," Ifoh stated.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PRESS STATEMENT FROM LABOUR PARTY INEC Punishing Labour Party for The roles it Played Defending Obi, Otti in 2023. We the leadership of the Labour Party wish to bring to your notice the recent development in the party, particularly, the efforts by some of the leaders of the… <a href="https://t.co/bHqQw8g6cw">pic.twitter.com/bHqQw8g6cw</a>&mdash; LabourPartyNG (@NgLabour) <a href="https://twitter.com/NgLabour/status/1836424142242869593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

The Labour Party also expressed disbelief that Obi and Otti are now embracing the same INEC they blame for irregularities in the 2023 elections.

"The INEC you are embracing today is the same INEC, which betrayed us during the last election," the statement read.

The party vowed to defend its leadership, stressing that the current executives were elected during a valid convention in March 2024, upheld by a Federal High Court ruling.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti and Peter Obi

The Labour Party has raised serious allegations against its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, accusing them of collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seize control of the party's leadership.

Labour Party alleges INEC conspiracy with Obi, Otti to weaken leadership

<h2>The Labour Party (LP), led by Julius Abure, has called for an investigation by the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into alleged financial misconduct involving its 2023 presidential campaign. </h2>

The party's National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, made the call during a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, September 12.

Arabambi accused Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Afenifere leaders of misappropriating over ₦12 billion and $15 million in donations meant for the campaign.

He dismissed <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/aisha-yesufu-hits-back-at-abure-demands-accountability-for-lp-donations/g650xdw">Yesufu's recent defences as attempts to obscure the alleged financial irregularities </a>and criticised her remarks as offensive to the party's leadership.

"The trio of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni were involved in financial infractions totalling over ₦600 million," Arabambi claimed.

"Peter Obi allegedly engaged Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Ighodalo, and Afenifere to commit fraud and divert funds while presenting themselves as elder statesmen."

Arabambi emphasised the party's commitment to transparency and called for a thorough examination of all bank accounts linked to the accused.

He urged an investigation into the accounts associated with Adebanjo, Osuntokun, and Ebiseni to determine Afenifere's role in the alleged fraud.

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/edo-2024-pdp-accuses-apc-labour-party-of-plot-to-exploit-voters/m542sj9">Edo 2024: PDP accuses APC, Labour Party of "unholy alliance" to exploit voters</a>

<h3>Obi replies alleged misuse of campaign funds</h3>

In response, Dr Yunisa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, labelled the allegations as baseless.

"I was present when Aisha Yesufu provided the audited account of the presidential campaign fund, and no money is missing from the Labour Party's accounts," Tanko stated.

Afenifere's Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, expressed unfamiliarity with the allegations.

"I have just seen the lengthy press statement you are referring to. I have not read it, but if Afenifere needs to respond later, we will certainly do so," Olaitan remarked.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. [Getty Images]

The Labour Party (LP), led by Julius Abure, has called for an investigation by the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into alleged financial misconduct involving its 2023 presidential campaign.

LP demands probe of Obi, others over alleged misuse of 2023 campaign funds

<h2>With the Edo gubernatorial election approaching on September 21, 2024, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarms over an alleged alliance between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party. </h2>

The PDP claims this coalition aims to subjugate the Edo people, warning that a vote for the Labour Party is a vote for APC oppression.

<h3>PDP: Labour Party betraying Edo voters by teaming up with APC</h3>

Rev. Olu Martins, Deputy Director General of Media and Publicity for the PDP Campaign Council, criticised the Labour Party's decision to align with the APC.

Martins described it as a "betrayal" aimed at dividing the Edo South Senatorial District electorate to benefit the APC.

"This alliance seeks to split the votes in the senatorial district, thereby reducing the APC's deficit," Martins remarked.

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/edo-2024-fct-contingent-mobilises-over-5000-voters-for-ighodalo/4qp61f6">Edo 2024: Ighodalo begins campaign as FCT contingent mobilises over 5,000 voters</a>

The PDP contends that this collaboration will plunge Edo into the same "bondage" Nigerians have faced under APC's leadership at the national level.

<h3>PDP to voters: Reject APC, Labour Party</h3>

Martins urged voters to reject both parties, warning that the alliance poses a significant threat to Edo's future.

Martins called on Edo residents to reject the APC and its "proxy," the Labour Party, in the upcoming election.

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/nigerian-students-endorse-edo-pdp-candidate-ighodalo-for-governor/v5qvxzz">Nigerian students endorse Edo PDP candidate, Ighodalo for governor</a>

"We urge Edo people to reject them in all their forms or guises," he stated, stressing that only the PDP's candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, could continue the state's path to prosperity.

"A vote for the Labour Party is a vote for the continuation of APC's devastating oppression and must, therefore, be rejected in totality," Martins concluded.

Monday Okpebholo, Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata. [Facebook]

With the Edo gubernatorial election approaching on September 21, 2024, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarms over an alleged alliance between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party.

Edo 2024: PDP accuses APC, Labour Party of "unholy alliance" to exploit voters

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