Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has rejected his suspension by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), asserting that Abure no longer holds the legal authority to act as the party’s national chairman.

On Wednesday, the Abure-led LP faction announced the indefinite suspension of Otti, along with Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi, citing alleged anti-party activities following an investigative report.

However, Otti, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, dismissed the suspension, emphasizing that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had unequivocally stated that Abure is no longer the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Ekeoma further alleged that Abure hastily announced the suspensions after being summoned by a committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman to respond to allegations of gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, impersonation, and anti-party activities.

“The governor’s camp calls for the arrest of Abure for alleged impersonation and urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary and democracy,” the statement read.