Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed reports of his suspension by a faction of the Labour Party, calling the action a “joke taken too far.” He also urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Julius Abure for alleged impersonation.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti reaffirmed that Abure no longer has the legal authority to serve as the party's National Chairman.

“For the records, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has rightly and unambiguously stated that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of Labour Party,” Ekeoma said in a statement issued Wednesday, May 7.

Otti's remarks came after a statement from Abure's faction, which announced his suspension from the party. However, Otti clarified that the legitimate leadership of the Labour Party is the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, not Abure's faction.

He further alleged that Abure made the announcement in a bid to pre-empt accountability, stating: “Just a few hours after being summoned by a committee set up by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee to respond to allegations of gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, impersonation, and anti-party activities, Abure rushed to the press.”

Calling for law enforcement intervention, Otti said: “We call on the Inspector General of Police to quickly arrest Mr. Abure for impersonation, while INEC should ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment as a way of preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court and protecting our democracy.”

Otti urged Nigerians to ignore what he described as a desperate attempt to mislead the public and divert attention from serious allegations.