Abia State Governor Alex Otti has rejected reports of his suspension by a faction of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure, calling the move baseless and undemocratic.
Through a statement issued by his media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, on Wednesday, Otti urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Abure for allegedly posing as the party’s national chairman.
Governor Otti argued that the Supreme Court had already clarified that Julius Abure was no longer recognised as the Labour Party’s national chairman.
He also noted that the party’s caretaker leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman had stripped Abure of any such authority.
“The apex court of the land has made it categorically clear that Abure no longer holds that position,” Ekeoma stated.
Otti also pointed out the timing of the suspension announcement, noting it came just hours after Abure was summoned by the caretaker committee to respond to serious allegations, including financial misappropriation, impersonation, and working against the party’s interests.
He concluded by urging security agencies to take swift action and calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce the court’s ruling, emphasising the need to uphold democratic principles.