Abia Governor Otti Welcomes Factional Labour Party Leaders Back, Eyes Unity

Abia State Governor Alex Otti is spearheading a significant reconciliation drive within the Labour Party, signaling a new era of unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a clear move towards inclusivity, Otti has declared the party's doors remain open for the return of its embattled former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his key supporters.

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No, if you followed the convention, you would discover that over 25 state chairmen of the Abure group that you mentioned actually attended. In fact, they were actually returned as members of the newly elected National Working Committee.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the party's National Working Committee in Abuja, Otti highlighted the success of ongoing reconciliation efforts. He noted that a substantial number of state chairmen previously aligned with Abure's faction had not only attended the recent convention but were also reinstated into the newly elected National Working Committee. This, he emphasized, was a deliberate strategy to foster unity, ensuring "no victor, no vanquished" and that everyone emerges stronger.

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That was also because part of the charge we gave the National Working Committee to do is to reconcile and bring back as many people as possible.

Governor Otti expressed unwavering confidence in the leadership of the newly elected National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, and the 33 members of the National Working Committee. He believes they possess the capacity and dexterity to stabilize the party and prepare it effectively for future political contests, including upcoming primaries. Otti also took the opportunity to distance the Labour Party from a recent opposition summit focused on selecting a single presidential candidate, clarifying that the party was not involved in any such agreement and is therefore not bound by its outcomes.

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You can see that it is happening. So, in this disagreement, we declared that there was no victor, no vanquished. Everybody is a winner.

This conciliatory approach by Governor Otti is particularly noteworthy given the recent leadership tussle that created divisions within the Labour Party. By actively seeking to reintegrate former key figures like Abure, Otti demonstrates a commitment to building a robust and unified front, a strategy that resonates deeply within Nigerian politics where party cohesion is often crucial for electoral success. The emphasis on internal reconciliation, rather than dwelling on past disagreements, positions the Labour Party to present a more formidable and united front for the challenges ahead.

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So we will keep our doors open, even for Abure to return to the party that he has worked for. The disagreement is over. We are now reconciling and reintegrating people to ensure that the party emerges stronger.