Labour Party Rift Deepens As Faction Crowns Alex Otti National Leader

The endorsement was reached during a meeting of the party’s Interim National Working Committee (INWC) held in Abuja and communicated in a communiqué issued afterward by the faction’s National Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha.

This development comes just weeks after the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31.

According to the communiqué, the meeting was convened to deliberate on matters affecting the party’s stability, growth, and strategic direction. One of the key resolutions was the unanimous recognition of Governor Otti as the Labour Party’s National Leader.

“The National Working Committee, in a unanimous decision, affirmed its recognition of His Excellency, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, as the National Leader of the Labour Party,” Nwokocha stated.

He explained that the meeting, chaired by Senator Nenadi Usman, was conducted in line with the provisions of the Labour Party Constitution 2019 (as amended), and took place amid heightened political activities ahead of the party’s congresses and forthcoming National Convention.

The communiqué further revealed that discussions at the meeting covered reports from the ongoing nationwide membership revalidation and registration exercise, preparations for the party’s congresses and national convention, as well as developments surrounding Peter Obi’s departure from the party.

Addressing Obi’s defection, the committee said it harboured no resentment toward the former presidential candidate.

“The national leadership of the Labour Party wishes His Excellency Mr Peter Obi success in his future political pursuits and in his new political platform,” Nwokocha said.

He stressed that despite recent developments, the party remains cohesive and committed to its founding ideals.

“The Labour Party remains united, indivisible, and resolute in its mission to build a Nigeria anchored on equal opportunity, social justice, and good governance,” he added.

The Usman-led faction also welcomed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s reaffirmation of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, which removed Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman.

Based on the ruling, the faction urged INEC to fully recognise the current leadership of the party.

It called on the electoral body to “accord Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha all rights, recognition, and privileges associated with the offices of National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party, in strict adherence to the rule of law and the Supreme Court judgment.”