Three members of the House of Representatives under the Labour Party (LP) have strongly rejected their purported suspension from the party, describing the action as “laughable” and a desperate attempt by a “dethroned emperor” to remain relevant.
The lawmakers—Afam Ogene, Leader of the Labour Party Caucus in the House, Deputy Leader Seyi Sowunmi, and prominent member Amobi Ogah—issued a joint statement on Thursday dismissing the move by Julius Abure, the former LP National Chairman recently ousted by a Supreme Court ruling.
Abure had, on Wednesday, announced the suspension of the trio, along with Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha, who is also the Secretary of the party’s National Caretaker Committee.
In their statement titled “Our Former National Chairman Goes Mad Again,” the lawmakers criticized Abure’s actions, accusing him of seeking to fracture the Labour Party rather than strengthen it.
“It is unfortunate that instead of focusing on rebuilding the party post-judgment, Abure appears more interested in fuelling disunity, possibly in a bid to serve external interests guiding his every move,” the statement read.
The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of the Labour Party and called on members and supporters to remain focused and undeterred by what they described as “distractions from a man whose time has passed.”