The Labour Party (LP) has launched a fierce rebuttal against the appointment of an interim national committee and its chairman, with National Secretary Kennedy Ahanotu branding the move “illegal, unacceptable, and a blatant power grab” in a press conference held on July 18, 2025.
The controversy erupted after a faction loyal to former National Chairman Julius Abure announced the interim leadership on July 15, ostensibly to stabilize the party amid internal discord following the 2023 election. Ahanotu, a staunch ally of Peter Obi, argued that the appointment contravenes the LP’s constitution, which mandates a national convention, last held in 2021 with over 5,000 delegates—for such decisions, and accused external political actors of orchestrating the takeover to weaken the party’s opposition stance.
The interim committee, comprising 15 members and led by a little-known figure, Abayomi Arabambi, seeks to address the LP’s drift toward the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, a shift driven by Obi’s influence after his 2023 presidential run. Ahanotu cited a 2024 Federal High Court ruling affirming the current leadership’s legitimacy, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject the interim body.
The rift has led to dueling press releases, with Abure’s faction claiming a mandate from a disputed emergency meeting, while Ahanotu’s camp plans legal action, including an injunction by July 20. The internal strife threatens the LP’s 2027 prospects, with membership surveys showing a 10% drop in active supporters since the election, highlighting the stakes of this leadership battle.