Moves by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to reconcile factions within the Labour Party (LP) have been dismissed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, who described the effort as insincere and premature.

 

Otti had earlier, while speaking in Abuja, said the new leadership of the party had resolved to pursue reconciliation and rebuild internal cohesion following its recent court victory over the party’s leadership tussle.

 

“We appeal to Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and come back to the party. If they abide by the rules of the party, we will be happy to see them back,” the governor said.

 

However, reacting in an interview, Ifoh rejected the reconciliation call, accusing Otti of being responsible for the crisis currently rocking the party.

 

According to him, the legal battle over the leadership of the Labour Party was far from concluded, stressing that the court judgment being celebrated was only from a court of first instance.

 

“We are not interested in any move by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, to reconcile the party because he was the one who brought the crisis to the party in the first place,” Ifoh said.

 

He described Otti’s appeal as unnecessary and lacking sincerity, arguing that it was premature while the matter was still before the appellate court.

 

“This reconciliatory thing he is throwing around is of no use. What we just witnessed was a judgment by a court of first instance. Why can’t he wait for the outcome of the appeal before deciding on such a move?” he asked.

 

Ifoh further questioned the timing of the governor’s call for unity, insisting that the celebration of the court ruling amounted to a hollow victory.

 

“Why is he suddenly in a rush to call for reconciliation? As far as we are concerned, their celebration is a pyrrhic victory. It will soon die down, and Nigerians will behold the true leadership of the party. Let him know that the battle is not over,” he said.

 

The disagreement underscores the deepening leadership crisis within the Labour Party, with both sides maintaining hardline positions despite calls for unity following the court ruling.