The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has announced an indefinite suspension of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi from the party over allegations of anti-party activities.
The suspension follows the recommendation of a Five man Disciplinary Committee set up to investigate them.
Announcing the suspension shortly after its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, NEC said, “the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect: Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
“By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note,” it said.
The party, in a statement by its
National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, explained that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members because she is not a card carrying member of the Party.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.
“Again, we are aware that Ms Usman recently in a well televised occasion, in cohort with a former Kaduna state governor joined another political party where she pledged loyalty to the party. We are clearly confused where Usman Nenadi’s loyalty lies.
“The party leadership is also surprised that Nenadi Usman is talking about corruption when indeed she is the head mistress of corruption.
“Nigerians are already aware of all the EFCC cases against her and we expect Ms Usman to come out and explain to Nigerians the story behind her Plea Bargain with EFCC and all the properties she allegedly forfeited.
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” it said.
NEC, in the statement, noted that the party’s financial records are straight following the publication of the party’s audited account.
It said external auditors were contracted to audit the party’s account and they gave a clean report and as well as commended the party for its financial transparency.
The NEC noted that it was on record that among the comity of Political Parties in Nigeria, Labour Party financial records was adjudged to be among the best.
On Coalition, it said party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition and reiterated that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger.
“Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition; those driving the agenda lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement.
“These are people who have failed to manage one political party, how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests. Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as stand alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter,” the NEC said.
