By Abba Onyekachukwu , Abuja
Dr Tobias Obiechina, the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Labour Party (LP) Caretaker Committee and the entire member have come out en mass today (Thursday) to officially affirm Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the National Chairman of the party, citing the Supreme Court’s judgment on April 4, 2025, which nullified the leadership of former Chairman Julius Abure, whose tenure had expired on June 8, 2024.
The apex court’s decision validated Senator Usman’s leadership, with the committee describing it as a victory for the rule of law.
Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku, the Ag Chairman, NLC Political Chairman, in an interview during the event, said that Abure who was outed by the court had never been a hindrance, as the the party had never given him the opportunity. Adding that those who never wanted the party to move on were the ones sponsoring Abure, Prof Ndubuaku advised members of the party to continue to remain united, so as to continue to enjoy Nigerians’ support.
The FCT LP CTC Chairman, Obiechina and his members expressed delight in Senator Usman’s exceptional capacity and quality, commending her inclusive leadership stance.
Addressing journalists, shortly after the affirmation, the FCT LP CTC Chairman, Dr Tobias Obiechina said that the LP under his Chairmanship, assured members who have come back of equal equal treatment. He informed that when they were in Obedient Group in the FCT, and came back when the CTC was formed, some people continued to follow Aburi out of ignorance. These people, he has assured of full membership rights, adding that for the party to move forward and deliver the . country, all hands should be in deck.
The FCT LP Caretaker Committee members expressed delight in Senator Usman’s exceptional capacity and quality, commending her inclusive leadership stance.
Senator Usman emphasized the importance of unity within the party, stating, “This is not a time for triumphalism.”
Senator Nenadi Usman, a former Minister of Finance, was appointed to lead a 29 – member caretaker committee established by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. The committee’s formation followed an emergency convention where party stakeholders entrusted them with the mandate to oversee the party’s affairs.
In reaction, the LP’s caretaker committee had previously faulted an Appeal Court ruling reinstating Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman, describing the judgment as biased. The committee’s affirmation of Senator Usman’s leadership underscores the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
