Presidential ticket of LP no longer reserved for Obi, says Abure faction

The faction said Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, did not
have the power to convene a stakeholders’ meeting that produced a caretaker
committee led by Nenadi Usman, a former senator.

“The NEC in session noted that the Governor of Abia State
His Excellency Alex Otti who convened the meeting did not have the power within
the Party’s Constitution as provided in Article 14 (4) (B) gives power to call
meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National
Chairman,” it reads.

“NEC in session further reiterates that the Governor of Abia
State does not even have the power to call his Ward Executive meeting without
the approval and the consent of his Ward Chairman.

“The meeting contravenes the provisions of Section 82 (1)
(2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides as follows; 82 (1) Every
registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice
of any Convention, Congress, Conference or meeting convened for the purpose of
‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing
bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under
this act.”

Last week, Usman was appointed to lead a 29-member national
caretaker committee after Otti convened a stakeholders meeting of the party in
Abia.

Obi, LP presidential candidate in 2023, and Datti
Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, attended the meeting.

Callistus Okafor who leads another faction of the party has
since rejected the Usman-led committee.

Okafor has argued that there is a subsisting order of court
that makes him the acting chair of the party.