Dr Yusuf Baba-Ahmed acknowledges Julius Abure as Labour Party National Chairman amid ongoing party crisis and discusses NEC meetings and 2027 presidential ambitions
Dr Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has confirmed that Julius Abure remains the National Chairman of the party following a Supreme Court ruling.
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Baba-Ahmed, who was the running mate to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, expressed a differing view from Obi on the persistent leadership crisis within the opposition party.
Speaking during a national television interview, Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed his stance on the leadership issue and revealed his interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.
On Monday, he attended the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party in Abuja, where he announced his presidential aspirations.
He also acknowledged participating in a meeting convened by Abia State Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia, during which Senator Nenadi Usman was appointed acting chairman of the party’s rival faction.
This group has the backing of Peter Obi.
The Usman faction held its own NEC meeting over the weekend, reappointing Senator Usman as interim chairman and Senator Darlington Nkwocha as interim National Secretary.
The meeting was attended by Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, and the faction dismissed the Abure-led group as irrelevant.
Baba-Ahmed explained, “When INEC raised issues about the tenure of Abure that necessitated responses in Umuahia, Abia State, we acted clearly, legally, and legitimately. I was part of that.”
He added, “The Supreme Court gave a ruling which we interpreted in favour of the Nenadi Usman group. However, INEC has continued to deal with the Abure faction. We are law-abiding citizens. Members of the Labour Party are being influenced by powerful forces, but this cannot continue forever.”
Baba-Ahmed noted that as things stand, INEC’s dealings with Julius Abure are lawful.
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“If the Supreme Court issues a further interpretation favouring Nenadi Usman, the law must be followed,” he said.
