The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, on Wednesday, expressed optimism that the internal crises rocking the party would be resolved well ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abure declared that was prepared to reconcile with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti; the 2023 LP presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, and other aggrieved chieftains of the party.
Abure’s position was disclosed in a statement by the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
According to the statement, Abure made the commitment while fielding questions from newsmen at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja where INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had a meeting with the national chairmen of the political parties in Nigeria.
The LP chair denied the viral report of a growing cold war between him and the camps of Obi and Otti.
Abure’s comment comes in the wake of last Friday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal recognising him as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
The court nullified the LP Caretaker Committee, headed by Nenadi Usman, set by the Obi and Otti’s camp to steer the affairs of the party.
In response to the judgment, the Usman-led caretaker committee has headed to the Supreme Court, signalling an elongation of the LP internal strife.
But speaking on Wednesday, Abure insisted there was no iota of truth in the speculation making the round that Obi and Otti were working against his leadership of the party
He said, “Our misunderstanding has been exaggerated and must be seen as a family affair, which would be resolved amicably within the family. I want to say essentially that what we have are just squabbles within the party. For me, there are no hard feelings.
“As I said earlier, this is an opportunity for those who may have one grievance or the other against the leadership of the party to come together. Let us reconcile our differences and chart a way forward for our party. For me, I am open for reconciliation.
“I believe the interest of Nigeria and the interest of the party supercede every other interest. So it is my appeal for every aggrieved member of the party to come back for the interest of the party and for the interest of Nigeria.”
When asked if their differences could be resolved on time before the 2027 electioneering campaign, Abure sounded positive.
The LP chair also noted that it was normal for political parties to experience some sorts of internal wrangling and healthy conflict, stressing that it would help deepen democracy.
“I am sure that very soon, all our differences will be put aside, and we will again speak authoritatively with one voice and come out stronger and very effective in the political space. There is no political party without some differences; it is a game of interests, and there will always be conflicting interests in every political environment.
“I believe we will come out better and stronger. Now we have seen our strengths, we have also seen our weaknesses and I am sure that all of these, put together, will reshape the party and make the party better and we will perform better in future elections,” he stated.
The renewed move to mend fences comes three days after the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, set up by Obi and Otti, threatened to drag Abure to the Supreme Court following his recent victory at the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja.