It’s no longer news that Julius Abure and Peter Obi don’t see eye-to-eye. Both are not on speaking terms. They have been at war for months.
Both of them are chieftains of Labour Party. Abure is the National Chairman of a faction of the party, while Obi, who was the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, belongs to another faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman the head of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
Since 2023 when the party lost the presidency to President Bola Tinubu, Obi & Gov. Otti, who won Anambra governorship on the platform of Labour Party have been at daggers drawn with Abure.
And Abure has been fighting tooth and nail to retain his leadership of the party.
Julius Abure is very vocal and vibrant. And has been in the news for quite a while. It has not been an easy ride for him. Julius Abure is a lawyer and politician. And he has been embroiled in several controversies over his leadership of the Labour Party (LP).
Abure was born on June 24, 1971, worked as a lawyer and served as the National Secretary of the Labour Party before becoming its National Chairman in 2021.
Abure’s leadership has been marred by disputes within the party. In April 2025, the Supreme Court nullified a judgment that recognised Abure as the LP’s National Chairman, citing that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to make pronouncements on the party’s leadership. And since then the party has been embroiled in crisis.
Abure has faced unsubstantiated allegations of embezzlement, attempted murder, and disrupting party primaries all of which he has denied. He was briefly arrested in February 2024 over claims of orchestrating a violent attack on a party member.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Abure has continued to be recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the LP’s National Chairman. Some party members, including Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, have extended olive branches to Abure, while others, like Peter Obi, seem to support the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee.
The Labour Party remains divided, with Abure’s leadership still a subject of debate. Abure has expressed commitment to the party’s interests and ideology, while also welcoming reconciliation efforts.
It’s worth noting that there are different factions within the Labour Party, each with their own perspectives on Abure’s leadership.
But why has Abure been so strong in Labour Party?
Julius Abure’s strength in the Labour Party stems from several factors.
Abure has received affirmations from various courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which have recognized him as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. The Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to rule on the party’s leadership, thereby validating Abure’s position.
The Labour Party has consistently declared that Abure remains its authentic National Chairman, citing the Supreme Court’s verdict that struck out all party processes are guided by its Constitution.
Despite internal disputes and challenges to his leadership, Abure has maintained a strong presence within the party. His leadership style has been commended by some party members for being democratic and transparent.
The courts have consistently ruled that matters concerning political party leadership are internal affairs not subject to judicial interference. This has bolstered Abure’s position, as the Judiciary has declined to intervene in the party’s leadership disputes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognises Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman, further solidifying his position.
Julius Abure’s staying power in the Labour Party seems to be due to the Supreme Court ruling that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman, effectively nullifying his position. The apex court emphasized that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters that courts cannot adjudicate.
Abure’s actions, including a controversial convention that extended his tenure without key stakeholders’ participation, have further fractured the party. This has prompted rival factions and a Caretaker committee endorsed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Some former allies and rising stars within the party have defected or distanced themselves, citing leadership dysfunction as a primary deterrent. Abure’s recent declaration that the 2027 presidential ticket is “not reserved” for Peter Obi has also sparked concerns about his agenda.
Why does Abure & Obi don’t see eye-to-eye? The relationship between Julius Abure and Peter Obi is currently strained due to the internal crisis within the party.
Abure’s leadership has been disputed by several factions within the party, including the one backed by Peter Obi. The Supreme Court ruled that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as the Labour Party’s National Chairman, further complicating the issue.
Abure’s faction and the Obi-backed Caretaker committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, have competing claims to the party’s leadership. Abure’s group is recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while Obi’s camp supports the Caretaker committee.
The Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC) has threatened to sanction Peter Obi for any actions that undermine the party’s peace, unity, and integrity. This move indicates the heightened tensions between the 2 factions.
Despite these tensions, there have been attempts at reconciliation. Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s former running mate, met with Abure to discuss unity within the party. However, Obi’s camp later distanced themselves from this meeting, reiterating their support for the caretaker committee.
The Labour Party remains divided, with Abure and Obi’s factions holding different views on the party’s leadership. The future direction of the party depends on how these internal challenges are addressed.
What is Datti Baba-Ahmed He’s expressed support for Peter Obi’s potential presidential bid in 2027, stating that Obi is free to contest for the Labour Party’s presidential ticket with or without him as his running mate. Baba-Ahmed emphasized the need for leaders with capacity and compassion, suggesting that Nigeria requires individuals who can deliver promises and develop the country.
Baba-Ahmed has welcomed Obi’s potential bid, highlighting his respect for the former Anambra State Governor.
Labour Party Ticket: Baba-Ahmed believes Obi can retain the Labour Party ticket and contest in 2027, regardless of whether he (Baba-Ahmed) is part of the ticket.
Baba-Ahmed has downplayed concerns about anti-party activities, citing the nature of coalitions and the need for political parties and interest groups to come together.
He stressed the importance of competence and compassion in Nigeria’s leadership, advocating for leaders who can deliver promises and develop the country.
