The Labour Party National Caretaker Committee (LP-NCC), led by Senator Nenadi Usman, has announced the suspension of former National Chairman Barr. Julius Abure and former National Secretary Alhaji Farouk Umar for a period of six months.
This decision was detailed in a statement signed by Usman and the Labour Party’s NCC Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, in Abuja late on Thursday.
The party’s leadership stated that the action follows the findings of a six-member Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Senator Ireti Kingibe, which was inaugurated on Wednesday.
The statement reads, “Following an in-depth investigation by a committee led by Senator Ireti Kingibe and High Chief Peter Ameh, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has ratified the committee’s recommendations concerning the anti-party activities and gross misappropriation of party funds by the former acting National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, and others. The investigative report revealed significant financial misconduct and prompted the following disciplinary actions:
“Barr. Julius Abure has been suspended for an initial period of six months and is prohibited from presenting himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
“Mr Umar Farouk, the former National Secretary, was identified as a co-signer in most of the fraudulent bank withdrawals and transfers alongside Abure. Consequently, he has also been suspended for an initial six-month period, pending further investigation.
“All members of Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) are directed to cease acting as representatives of the Labour Party’s NWC.
“The NEC emphasises that failure to adhere to these disciplinary measures will result in more severe consequences. The Labour Party remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and discipline within its ranks.”
It is noteworthy that the Abure-led faction had previously announced the suspension of Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, and four others over alleged anti-party activities.
In response, the Usman-led LP-NCC stated that Abure and his dismissed executive committee members were not in a position to make decisions for the party following the Supreme Court judgement that concluded Abure’s leadership.
