The Julius Abure–led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party on Tuesday conducted ward congresses across the country, deliberately leaving out Abia State in obedience to a subsisting court injunction restraining the exercise.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, described the congresses as “hugely successful,” noting that monitoring teams reported impressive turnout and orderly conduct in states where the exercise held.
“The ward congresses were conducted today, Tuesday, December 2. Local government congresses will follow on Thursday, December 4, while state congresses are scheduled for Saturday, December 6 at the various state secretariats,” Ifoh announced.
He confirmed that Abia State was exempted in line with an interim order issued on November 26, 2025, by the Abia State High Court in Suit No. HIN/47/2025. The injunction—obtained by a faction loyal to Governor Alex Otti—restrains the Abure-led NWC from conducting ward, local government, and state congresses in Abia pending the determination of the substantive matter.
According to Ifoh, the order applies strictly to Abia State and has no bearing on the nationwide exercise. “Once our legal department vacates the Abia order, the congresses will be conducted there as well,” he said.
The nationwide congresses stem from resolutions reached at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of November 28, which was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The NEC had mandated the party leadership to democratise its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement, Ifoh accused “fifth columnists” within the party of attempting to destabilise the organisation on behalf of external interests. He warned that circulating claims of a nationwide injunction stopping the congresses amounted to publishing false information—an offence punishable under Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act.
The development adds a fresh layer to the Labour Party’s ongoing leadership tussle. A faction led by former Senator Nenadi Usman recently forwarded a new 34-member caretaker list to INEC, asserting that it supersedes lists submitted by both the Abure and Otti-aligned groups.
As of press time, neither Governor Otti nor the Nenadi Usman faction had issued an official response to Tuesday’s ward congresses.
