THE Labour Party has suspended Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Senator Ireti Kingibe indefinitely over alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension also extended to Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowumi.
A statement signed by the National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, on Wednesday, May 7, stated that the party’s National Executive Council made the decision after reviewing recommendations from a five-man Disciplinary Committee set up on May 2, 2025, to investigate allegations of anti-party conduct.
It noted that the suspension takes immediate effect, barring the affected members from participating in any Labour Party activities.
“Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a Five man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr.Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members over allegations of anti party activities,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the committee completed its investigation and presented its findings to the party leadership, which the NEC accepted the committee’s recommendations.
“The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.
“Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect. 1. Dr. Alex Otti; 2. Senator Ireti Kingibe; 3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha; 4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; 5. Hon. Amobi Ogah; 6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi,” the statement added.
The Labour Party clarified that Nenadi Usman was not included in the suspension list because she is not a registered member, but rather a supporter of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
The party also questioned Usman’s moral standing to speak on corruption, citing her alleged plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and reported asset forfeitures.
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the statement added.
The party reiterated its stance on political alliances, stating that it would not enter any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The suspension followed a series of recent events within the party, which have sparked divisions in the party.
On April 9, 2025, Labour Party stalwarts, including Peter Obi and Governor Otti, endorsed a new National Caretaker Committee led by Nenadi Usman.
This move came after the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the leadership of Julius Abure, setting the stage for the caretaker committee’s formation.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led faction, Obiora Ifoh, has disputed the interpretation of the Supreme Court verdict, claiming it didn’t state that Abure’s leadership had lapsed or that the Usman-led committee should take over.
Ifoh insists the Supreme Court respected the party’s autonomy and right to appoint leaders, upholding the precedence of lower court decisions recognising Abure’s leadership.
This was as Lamidi Apapa declared himself the party’s leader following the Supreme Court’s judgment sacking Abure as National Chairman.
Apapa cited the apex court’s ruling as his reason for taking over, stating that all court pronouncements have nullified Abure’s actions and decisions since April 2023.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M