Kenneth Okonkwo Distances Himself from Labour Party Leadership under Julius Abure

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent member of the Labour Party (LP), has declared that he is not affiliated with the party under the leadership of Julius Abure.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Okonkwo confirmed that although he remains a member of the LP, he does not recognize Abure as its chairman.

“I have effectively distanced myself if Abure is in charge,” he stated. In July 2024, Okonkwo had previously announced his departure from the LP, alongside former presidential candidate Peter Obi.

However, he now clarifies that while he has resigned from certain party affiliations, he still identifies as a Labour Party member, distinctly opposing Abure’s leadership.

The LP has been facing internal strife, with both the Abure-led faction and a caretaker committee led by Esther Nenadi Usman claiming authority over the party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) previously invalidated Abure’s leadership, stating that the national convention that appointed him breached constitutional and electoral laws.

Following this, Usman was appointed as chair of the caretaker committee on September 4, 2024.

Despite these developments, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld Abure’s position as National Chairman earlier this year, affirming the legitimacy of its past ruling from November 2024.

This comes amid competing claims from Usman’s committee and INEC.