Labour Party Turmoil/Ogene Rejects Abure’s Sack Amid Allegations of Financial Malfeasance and Leadership Crisis

A fierce internal battle is brewing within the Labour Party as the House of Representatives caucus laughs off the purported removal of its Chairman, Afam Ogene, by the beleaguered former National Chairman, Julius Abure. The move follows last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which ousted Abure from office, with Ogene pledging the caucus’s support for the party’s National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman.

Abure, however, struck back on Monday by declaring Ogene’s dismissal, escalating tensions within the party. In a scathing response, Ogene, representing the Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, reaffirmed that only the caucus members have the right to elect or remove their leader, rejecting Abure’s authority. He called out Abure’s controversial tactics, accusing him of “power thirst” and mismanaging party funds, a charge which has ignited further outrage.

The Labour Party caucus leader was elected by 21 out of 31 members in a tight vote in May 2023. Ogene’s statement emphasized that no individual—especially one battling multiple allegations of financial malfeasance—has the right to unilaterally remove him. He particularly criticized Abure’s financial handling, noting that the former chairman has failed to account for millions raised during the 2023 elections and has been embroiled in multiple scandals involving slush funds and corruption.

Ogene’s remarks cast doubt on Abure’s legitimacy, stating that no “sane” party organ would entrust the former chairman with managing any funds, further questioning his integrity amidst ongoing allegations of forgery. The statement has sparked an escalating feud, with Ogene and other party members declaring that the Labour Party deserves a leadership overhaul free from Abure’s controversial history. This escalating crisis threatens to fracture the party even further as the struggle for control continues.