Abuja, Nigeria – Friday, May 2, 2025 – The simmering tensions within the Labour Party (LP) have erupted into a full-blown public feud, with National Chairman Julius Abure vehemently asserting that Abia State Governor Alex Otti owes his political ascendancy to the party’s leadership. Abure’s fiery rebuttal comes in the wake of Otti’s scathing remarks on national television, where he claimed to have “retrieved” the party from Abure’s control, dismissing the chairman’s claims with the crude analogy of “masturbating.”
The political drama unfolded during an emergency meeting of the LP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, where Abure, clearly incensed by Otti’s televised broadside, delivered a scathing counterattack. He unequivocally stated that the LP’s leadership played a pivotal role in Otti’s governorship victory, highlighting the sacrifices and unwavering support the party provided. “Without sounding immodest, we made Governor Alex Otti,” Abure declared, emphasizing the party’s efforts in securing his electoral success.
Abure’s anger was particularly fueled by Otti’s use of what he deemed “foul language” during his Arise Television appearance. He took offense to Otti’s dismissive characterization of his continued leadership claims, branding the governor’s remarks as disrespectful and unbecoming of a public figure. “My major concern was his foul language, saying he was laughing at us for holding on to the party leadership and ‘masturbating’ over it,” Abure stated, expressing his dismay at the governor’s choice of words.
The LP Chairman further escalated the conflict by launching a personal attack on Otti, questioning his intellectual capacity and physical stature. “Dwarfy and Lilliputian men were once considered men of great ideas. But Alex Otti is not only dwarfy in appearance—he is dwarfy in knowledge,” Abure asserted, delivering a stinging rebuke that went beyond political disagreement and delved into personal insults.
Abure also challenged Otti’s interpretation of a recent Supreme Court ruling, which the governor had cited as evidence of his control over the party. Abure argued that the ruling clearly designates party leadership matters as internal affairs, governed by the party’s constitution. He accused Otti of “misinforming the public” and “parading himself like a cricket to INEC” in a bid to undermine the legitimate party leadership.
“When the Supreme Court says leadership is a domestic affair of the party, what does it mean? Even a layman knows that the party’s constitution is supreme,” Abure stated, asserting the supremacy of the party’s internal mechanisms in resolving leadership disputes. He further criticized Otti’s decision to submit the court ruling to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), labeling it a “disgraceful” attempt to intimidate the electoral body.
Abure concluded his scathing remarks by questioning Otti’s alignment with the LP’s core values. He argued that the governor’s recent actions and statements contradicted the party’s promise of producing leaders who embody integrity and a commitment to a “new Nigeria.” “I want to state clearly that Otti does not represent the values of our party. We told Nigerians in 2023 that the Labour Party would produce leaders who are different. We said a new Nigeria is possible. But today, what are we seeing?” he asked, expressing his disappointment and disillusionment.
The escalating feud between Abure and Otti has plunged the LP into a deep crisis, raising questions about the party’s stability and its ability to maintain unity. The public spat has also tarnished the party’s image, potentially alienating voters who were drawn to its promise of a new and ethical brand of politics. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the LP can resolve its internal conflicts and restore its credibility.
