Abure Warns NDC Leader Dickson Against Ceding Party Structure to Peter Obi Supporters

ABUJA, Nigeria — Factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has cautioned Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, against relinquishing control of the party’s structure to supporters of Peter Obi.

Abure issued the warning in a statement personally signed on Monday, following Obi’s emergence as the NDC’s presidential candidate after he was ratified at the party’s national convention in Abuja on May 30.

The LP chieftain said Dickson appeared to have learned from the internal crisis that engulfed the Labour Party after the 2023 elections, describing as commendable reports that the NDC leadership had declined to hand over all elective positions within the party to Obi’s supporters.

‘Learn From Labour Party’s Experience’

According to Abure, many politicians who secured elective offices on the Labour Party platform in 2023 later distanced themselves from the party leadership.

“They say history usually repeats itself. Senator Dickson and his associates have seen what happened to us and learnt from it,” Abure said.

“I want to say that Obi and his followers are ingrates who will never remember the sacrifices you made for them. It is even dangerous for the leadership of the NDC to wholly hand over elective positions to Obi and his followers.”

Abure alleged that the Labour Party leadership made significant sacrifices to accommodate Obi and his supporters during the 2022–2023 election cycle, including granting several party tickets without financial conditions.

“We ensured that Obi’s interests were adequately taken care of. We only looked at his body language, and we obliged most of his supporters’ tickets,” he said.

“Most of the tickets were given free of charge because we believed we were investing in people who would help grow the party after winning elections. Ironically, when they came into power, they went after the leadership of the party.”

The LP factional chairman further alleged that Obi, alongside Alex Otti, sought to take control of the party’s leadership following disagreements over the tenure of party executives.

Comments Amid Ongoing LP Leadership Dispute

Abure also referenced the prolonged leadership crisis within the Labour Party, which intensified after the Independent National Electoral Commission recognised the leadership of the party’s caretaker committee.

According to him, party members who emerged victorious under the Labour Party banner failed to defend the party leadership when disputes arose.

“They fell into the trap of INEC when the commission said the tenure of the executive had expired. We expected them to reject that position,” he said.

Abure argued that it would be strategically important for Dickson to retain loyal supporters in key positions within the NDC to avoid a similar situation.

“He needed to bring his own people so that when the chips are down, he will also have people that will speak and defend him,” he added.

The LP leader further claimed that Obi’s supporters joined the NDC with the intention of dominating the party’s structure, similar to what he alleged occurred within the Labour Party.

Background

The Labour Party leadership dispute has been the subject of several court proceedings. In September 2024, Nenadi Usman was appointed chairperson of the party’s caretaker committee.

In January 2026, INEC formally recognised Usman’s leadership following a Federal High Court ruling. The decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on April 21, which dismissed Abure’s appeal challenging his removal as national chairman.

Neither Obi nor the NDC leadership had publicly responded to Abure’s latest remarks as of the time of filing this report.

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A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.