The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has launched a scathing attack on the suspended National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure, accusing him of being at the centre of the party’s internal crisis.
Speaking in a radio interview on Nigeria Info FM, Ekeoma alleged that Abure had compromised the values of the Labour Party for personal gain, describing him as the key figure “destroying” the party and betraying its progressive ideals.
“Mr. Abure is the one destroying the Labour Party. He’s betraying the progressive ideals of the party and, by extension, betraying Nigerians,” Ekeoma stated. He further promised that concrete evidence to support his claims would be released at the appropriate time.
Ekeoma criticized Abure’s leadership style, pointing out the lack of structural presence in several states. “Before Governor Alex Otti and others joined, the Labour Party didn’t even have an office in Abia,” he said, accusing Abure of giving a false impression of the party’s nationwide presence.
While denying allegations of bribery, Ekeoma admitted that party leaders received financial and logistical assistance during the 2023 general elections. “I’m not talking about bribes; I’m talking about support,” he clarified, adding, “There were compromises everywhere you looked.”
Reacting to Abure’s public challenge demanding proof of corruption claims, Ekeoma dismissed the move, saying, “If Abure meant well for the party, he wouldn’t be boasting. He thinks he’s dealing with kids.”
The Labour Party’s internal tensions have escalated in recent weeks, with Abure coming under fire from various party stakeholders. On Tuesday, investigative outlet SaharaReporters revealed that Abure had directly challenged the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and others to present evidence of any funds allegedly given to him or the party.
In a video published by Symfoni, Abure denied receiving financial support from Obi or other aspirants, declaring, “It’s not enough to hide and make vague allegations. Who gave money? Who received it? I challenge them to come forward with evidence.”
Abure warned that if provoked further, he would not hesitate to expose the inner workings of the party during the 2023 campaign. “If I open my mouth, they will smell like rotten eggs. Nobody will want to associate with them,” he said.
He also accused Governor Alex Otti of hypocrisy, saying, “Look at the governor, jumping around like a cricket from one place to another—we didn’t collect a single kobo from him.”
Abure recalled a meeting with Otti at Transcorp Hotel, during which the governor allegedly asked how he could support the party. “I said, ‘Nothing. Put your money together and use it for the election,’” Abure recounted.
As both sides trade accusations, the Labour Party — once a rising third force in Nigerian politics — finds itself embroiled in a leadership crisis that threatens its future ahead of 2027.
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