Julius Abure defends his meeting with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, calling it private, as Labour Party crisis deepens ahead of 2027 elections
Labour Party crisis escalated this week as factional chairman Julius Abure defended his controversial meeting with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), calling it a personal and non-political engagement.
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Photos of the meeting surfaced last week, drawing backlash from within the party.
Critics accused Abure of undermining party unity by engaging with Wike, a member of the opposition PDP serving in the APC-led government.
Speaking during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, Abure said:
“I live in the FCT. I have the right to interface with any public official. The meeting was purely private.”
Abure took the opportunity to reassert his role, claiming credit for the party’s national growth.
“We’ve controlled this party for years. Today, Labour Party is a major political force under my watch,” he said.
The Labour Party crisis has intensified as another faction, led by former finance minister Usman Nenadi, continues to challenge Abure’s leadership. The split raises uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Wike meeting came shortly after Abure’s faction asked Peter Obi, LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, to step down over his alliance with the ADC-led political coalition.
Wike, seen as a political power broker, has been accused by some of fueling instability within opposition parties like LP.
Also read: Labour Party Internal Crisis Exposes Shocking Political Weakness
Deputy leaders warned that internal unity is crucial as the party prepares for upcoming electoral contests.
