The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) intensified on Monday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) formally petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, demanding the prosecution of LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, and three other party officials over allegations of forgery and criminal conspiracy.
The petition also named the party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, along with National Working Committee (NWC) members Ojukwu Clement and Edward Okereke as co-accused.
Addressing a joint press conference, the acting National Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, alongside former LP National Youth Leader, Anslem Eragbe, and Chairman of Nigerian Corruption Watch, Prince Dandy Rowland, insisted on the need for legal action against the accused officials.
The controversy follows previous calls for Abure’s prosecution by LP governorship and House of Representatives candidates, including Ebonyi State’s Splendour Eze, Edo’s Murphy Imasuen, and Plateau’s Yohana Mangif.
Ndubuaku emphasized that accountability within the party is crucial, warning that failure to act would erode public trust.
“The Nigeria Police Force Legal Department had long recommended that the suspects be charged to court. Despite repeated inquiries, no clear explanation has been given as to why Julius Abure and others have not been prosecuted,” he stated.
He further issued a seven-day ultimatum for the Attorney General to take action, arguing that continued delays undermine the fight against corruption.
Labour Party Responds
In reaction, LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed the allegations, describing them as a politically motivated stunt.
“They bring this up every time an election is near. This case was dismissed by both the police and the court. They are likely doing this again after collecting money from aspirants seeking LP tickets for the upcoming Anambra election,” Ifoh said.
The Labour Party also released a statement condemning the NLC’s claims, calling them unfounded.
“The forensic and police reports clearly stated there was no forgery. The Attorney General has already returned the case file to the police, confirming there is no case to answer. It is absurd that an ultimatum is being issued over a non-existent case,” the statement read.
As tensions continue to rise, political observers are closely watching whether the Attorney General will act on the NLC’s demands or if the matter will fade amid the party’s internal struggles.
