Abia governor says ex-LP chairman is acting in contempt as INEC backs court-recognised leadership; Igara defends move as precaution against political vacuum

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has taken a swipe at former Labour Party (LP) National Chairman, Julius Abure, over the continued sale of governorship nomination forms despite court rulings and the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The controversy intensified after a viral photo showed Abure presenting a nomination form to former LP National Vice Chairman, Ceekay Igara, alongside other party members.

Reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Ukoha, Otti questioned Abure’s authority to act on behalf of the party, insisting that recent judicial pronouncements and INEC’s position have effectively stripped him of leadership recognition.

According to Ukoha, both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s interim leader pending a convention, a directive he said INEC has already complied with.

He described Abure’s actions as a clear case of contempt of court, challenging him to justify his continued claim to leadership and his decision to issue nomination forms in defiance of legal rulings.

“Abure should explain to Nigerians the basis on which he is still parading himself as leader after clear court decisions. The party has moved on, and INEC has aligned with the legally recognised leadership,” Ukoha said.

He further warned that any electoral process conducted under Abure’s leadership would lack legitimacy, stressing that INEC would not monitor such exercises.

“It is up to him to explain why he is issuing nomination forms against the orders of a competent court,” he added.

However, Igara defended the distribution of forms, arguing that it was a strategic move to prevent a leadership vacuum while legal battles over the party’s leadership continue.

He noted that cases remain pending before both the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court, and cautioned against halting party activities entirely.

“If Abure becomes inactive and the Supreme Court eventually restores his leadership after primaries have closed, the party could face serious setbacks,” Igara said.

He maintained that the forms are being issued ahead of primaries that are yet to be conducted, adding that internal consultations within the party are still ongoing.