By Rita Onuoha
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
Former Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, has urged the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to avoid what he described as the mistakes that triggered the prolonged leadership crisis within the Labour Party following the 2023 general elections.
Speaking on Monday, Abure specifically advised former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, to maintain a balanced party structure and avoid concentrating key positions in the hands of supporters of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Reflecting on the Labour Party's post-election experience, Abure said political leaders should learn from history and ensure that internal party structures remain inclusive and institutionally strong.
"They say history usually repeats itself. Senator Dickson and his team have seen what happened to us, where many elected officials eventually became involved in leadership struggles within the party after assuming office," he stated.
Abure alleged that Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and several public office holders elected on the Labour Party platform gradually distanced themselves from the party leadership after the 2023 elections.
According to him, the Labour Party made significant concessions during the election period by accommodating many candidates aligned with Obi and granting several nominations without demanding financial commitments, believing such decisions would strengthen the party in the long term.
"We ensured that Obi's interests were adequately taken care of. We only looked at his body language and obliged most of his supporters' requests. Most of the tickets were given free because we believed we were investing in people who shared the party's philosophy," Abure said.
He further claimed that disagreements intensified after questions arose over the tenure of the party's national executive, eventually leading to a prolonged contest for the control of the party structure.
Abure also referenced the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the dispute, alleging that some party stakeholders accepted the commission's position regarding the expiration of the executive's tenure instead of challenging it.
As a result, he advised the NDC leadership to ensure that loyal and experienced party members occupy strategic positions within the organisation to preserve institutional stability.
"He needs to have his own people within the structure so that when difficult moments arise, there will be individuals who can defend the leadership and protect the party's interests," he added.
The remarks come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, following Peter Obi's emergence as the NDC presidential candidate, a development widely viewed as a significant shift within the opposition landscape.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Peter Obi nor the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress had issued an official response to Abure's comments.
The Labour Party has remained embroiled in a leadership dispute since 2024. In January 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission recognised the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee following court decisions, while Abure has continued to contest his removal from office through legal and political channels.
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