Otti asks IGP to arrest Abure, says he’s an impersonator

Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, has asked Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to arrest Julius Abure, factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

On Wednesday, the Abure faction of the LP indefinitely suspended Otti, Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT); Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi, from the party.

Reacting in a statement issued by Ferdinand Ekeoma, his special adviser on media and publicity, Otti described news of his suspension as a “joke taken too far and an affront on democracy”.

The Abia governor also accused Abure of impersonation, adding that he and a “group of inconsequential irritants are desperate to use his name to advance their self-serving economic agenda”.

Otti said the apex court judgment removed Abure as national chairman and stripped him of authority over the party’s affairs, adding that LP is now under a new national caretaker committee.

“For the records, 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 Labour Party,” the statement reads.

“The judgement which is in agreement with the Constitution of Labour Party, and formed the basis for the setting up of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, stripped Abure of every authority to parade himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

“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.

“We enjoin Nigerians to disregard Abure’s laughable statement and continue to see him and his co-conspirators as a group of clowns in desperate search of a crown they do not deserve.

“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.”

BACKGROUND

The LP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with Abure and his allies on one hand, and the caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman on the other.

The Usman committee is supported by Peter Obi, the party’s ex-presidential candidate, and Otti.

Last month, the supreme court ruled that the court of appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce Abure chairman of the LP.

Since the verdict, there have been various interpretations of the apex court’s pronouncement, with all factions claiming victory.

Lamidi Apapa has also laid claim to the chairmanship of the party.

On May 2, the Abure-led faction inaugurated a five-member disciplinary committee headed by Ayo Olorunfemi, the party’s deputy national chairman, to investigate some members over alleged anti-party activities.