The endorsement followed a meeting of the party’s Interim National Working Committee (NWC) held in Abuja and was announced in a communiqué issued by the factional National Secretary, Darlington Nwokocha.

The development comes just weeks after the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, exited the Labour Party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31.

According to the communiqué, the meeting was convened to deliberate on matters affecting the party’s stability, expansion, and long-term strategic direction.

In one of its major resolutions, the committee unanimously recognised Governor Otti as the party’s national leader.

“The NWC, in a unanimous decision, affirmed its recognition of His Excellency, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, as the National Leader of the Labour Party,” Nwokocha said.

He explained that the meeting, which was chaired by Nenadi Usman, was conducted in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution 2019 (as amended).

“The meeting was convened at a time of heightened political engagement across the country, ahead of the party’s congresses and the forthcoming National Convention,” Nwokocha stated.

The communiqué revealed that discussions during the meeting covered reports from the ongoing nationwide membership revalidation and registration exercise, preparations for the party’s congresses and national convention, as well as the political implications of Obi’s departure.

Addressing the former presidential candidate’s defection, the faction said it harboured no resentment toward him.

“The National leadership of the Labour Party wishes His Excellency Mr Peter Obi well in his future political endeavours and in his new political party,” Nwokocha said.

However, he stressed that the party remained cohesive and committed to its founding principles.

“The Labour Party remains united, indivisible, indissoluble, and steadfast in its mission to build a Nigeria founded on equal opportunity, social justice, and good governance,” he added.

The Usman-led faction also welcomed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) reaffirmation of the Supreme Court judgment of April 4, 2025, which removed Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.

Citing the ruling, the faction urged INEC to formally recognise the current leadership.

It called on INEC “to accord Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha all rights, recognition, and privileges attached to the office of National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party, in strict compliance with the rule of law and the Supreme Court judgment.”