 has expressed concerns that ongoing leadership disputes within the Labour Party (LP) have severely weakened the party, leaving it without a clear direction.){kind=link}
Senator Neda Imasuen (LP–Edo South) has expressed concerns that ongoing leadership disputes within the Labour Party (LP) have severely weakened the party, leaving it without a clear direction.
During an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel in Benin on Saturday, Imasuen pointed out that the constant legal battles had nearly destroyed the party, resulting in a loss of both members and public trust.
The senator welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to remove Julius Abure from leading the National Working Committee of the LP, but he acknowledged the toll the litigation had taken on the party’s strength.
He criticized the drawn-out legal battles that had kept the party in court for an extended period, calling the ruling a positive development.
However, Imasuen questioned whether the judgment could restore unity and rebuild the party’s foundation.
“The Labour Party is almost decimated. Most of the members are gone, and it’s uncertain whether this ruling will bring them back or reinvigorate those still within the party,” Imasuen remarked.
“Time will tell if the judgment can truly restore the party’s strength.”
Imasuen expressed frustration over the internal instability and leadership failures that plagued the party.
He criticized individuals who, in his view, prioritized court battles over the party’s well-being.
He argued that such actions had undermined the LP’s long-term viability, especially amid Nigeria’s volatile political climate.
The senator also took aim at Abure’s leadership, asserting that the party had deteriorated under his watch.
He accused Abure of failing to maintain the core values of the Labour Party, leading to widespread disillusionment among its members.
Imasuen lamented that the LP had become unrecognizable, plagued by infighting and power struggles rather than focusing on its mission.
“A lot has gone wrong in the Labour Party. It’s unfortunate. Abure didn’t seem to have the party’s best interests at heart. The party became a battleground, and that’s not what I expected from someone in leadership,” Imasuen said.
When asked about his own political future, Imasuen refrained from confirming whether he would seek re-election in 2027.
He stated that he would carefully consider his options before deciding on any political platform, including the Labour Party or the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered by a five-member panel, annulled the Court of Appeal’s decision that had declared Abure the national chairman of the LP.
The apex court ruled that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters, outside the jurisdiction of the appellate court, and overturned the previous verdicts.