KEY POINTS

• Labour Party suspends Governor Alex Otti, two senators, and three lawmakers indefinitely over alleged anti-party activities.

• The party affirmed it would not enter into any political coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections, vowing to run independently.

• LP defended the exclusion of Nenadi Usman from sanctions, citing her non-membership, while accusing her of lacking moral authority due to past corruption claims.

The Labour Party (LP) has indefinitely suspended six high-ranking members, including Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, Senators Darlington Nwokocha and Ireti Kingibe, following accusations of anti-party activities.

The suspension, which also affects House of Representatives members Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi, was announced on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

According to a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the disciplinary action stems from findings by a five-member panel set up on May 2 to investigate allegations of misconduct.

The panel was chaired by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi and included Ibrahim and three others.

“Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a five-man Disciplinary Committee… to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members over allegations of anti-party activities,” the statement read.

“The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today, May 7th, 2025, and after exhaustive deliberation… has ratified the recommendation… Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended… with immediate effect.”

Party crisis deepens as Labour Party reaffirms independence from 2027 election alliances

The internal conflict within the Labour Party has widened in recent months, with factional disputes and public disagreements involving senior members. Governor Otti’s suspension comes amid tensions between him and the party leadership, particularly over strategic decisions in Abia State and at the national level.

Senators Kingibe and Nwokocha, both elected under the Labour Party banner in 2023, have also drawn criticism from the party for perceived collaboration with rival political interests.

The Punch Reports that while the statement did not provide specific examples of the alleged infractions, insiders suggest recent public comments and political alignments played a role in triggering disciplinary measures.

Meanwhile, the party sought to clarify why Nenadi Usman, a former minister rumored to be under scrutiny, was not listed among the suspended. The party stated that Usman is not a registered LP member but merely an affiliate of the Obidient movement that supported the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

“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,” the statement explained.

Further attacking her credibility, the party accused Usman of hypocrisy, referencing past corruption allegations.

“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties… and her companies in Cameroon… Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the party added.

In a strategic shift, the Labour Party also used the opportunity to declare its intention to contest the 2027 general elections independently, ruling out the possibility of political coalitions or mergers.

“Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as a stand-alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter,” it concluded.

The development marks a significant escalation in the internal struggles facing one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing opposition parties, which gained national prominence during the 2023 general elections under the leadership of Peter Obi.

Analysts say the party’s credibility may now be tested as it navigates both internal rifts and external political pressures ahead of the next election cycle.

The suspended members are yet to issue public statements in response to the party’s decision, though sources close to some of the affected lawmakers suggest legal or political challenges may follow.