Labour Party In Turmoil: Abure Slammed For “Wining And Dining With Tyrants” In Viral Photo With Wike

By Sediq Mutari| July 13, 2025

The Labour Party (LP) is once again in the throes of internal crisis, and this time, a photo is at the center of the storm.

A now-viral image showing suspended former National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, sharing a cordial moment with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has sparked outrage within the party ranks — particularly from the faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman. For them, the photo isn’t just bad optics — it’s political betrayal.

In a scathing statement issued on Sunday by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the Acting National Chairman, the Usman-led LP faction accused Abure of cozying up to “political actors opposed to the party’s values” while abandoning its grassroots and ideological struggle.

A Party Divided: The Abure Fallout

This isn’t the first time Julius Abure has come under fire within the party, but the new wave of criticism is sharper, more personal, and grounded in an ongoing power tussle within the LP.

Once considered a core architect of the party’s rise during the 2023 general elections, Abure has since become a divisive figure. Suspended from his position months ago amid allegations of misconduct and mismanagement, his recent public appearance alongside Wike — a known political heavyweight and ally of the ruling PDP faction — is being interpreted by party insiders as the final straw.

The LP faction’s statement was unflinching:

“Instead of standing with the people, Abure is seen wining and dining with the sponsors of oppression, tyranny, and electoral malpractice.”

The words were not minced, nor was the message subtle: Abure, in their eyes, is no longer loyal to the Labour Party’s reformist identity.

Where Was Abure When the Party Needed Him?

The faction went further, accusing Abure of strategic absenteeism during key moments in the party’s calendar — including the Lagos LG elections, and campaign events in Anambra, Kogi, and Edo States. His absence during these high-stakes events, they argue, shows a pattern of dereliction and disinterest in the party’s long-term vision.

Meanwhile, other party leaders like Peter Obi, LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Senator Nenadi Usman, are portrayed as active and committed. Obi is said to be working quietly on national issues, while Usman is engaged in “high-level meetings abroad,” all aimed at “repositioning the Labour Party for a New Nigeria.”

The Bigger Question: Whose Agenda Is Abure Serving?

At the heart of this controversy is a deeper concern: Who really controls the soul of the Labour Party? The factional statement accuses Abure of being “a willing tool in the hands of external forces bent on destabilising the Labour Party from within.”

While some observers see this as typical party infighting, others point to a broader battle between the LP’s progressive grassroots elements and old political structures trying to co-opt the party. Wike’s involvement — a master of realpolitik — adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting that alliances are shifting in unpredictable ways.

What This Means for the Future of Labour Party

The implications are serious. The Labour Party emerged from the 2023 elections with newfound clout, largely due to a youth-driven movement and dissatisfaction with the traditional political class. But continued internal chaos, factionalism, and a lack of unified leadership could derail its momentum.

The party’s future now hinges on whether it can rise above personal ambitions and power struggles to uphold the vision of a “New Nigeria” it once championed. As 2027 draws closer, voters are watching — and photos like the one of Abure and Wike could shape public perception far more than any press conference.

Final Thoughts: A House Divided Can’t Lead a Nation United

The Labour Party is at a crossroads. The clash between principle and politics has never been more evident. Abure’s camp may argue for open dialogue and political bridge-building, but for many within the party, sitting down with the very people they claim to oppose is not diplomacy — it’s betrayal.

If the LP is to maintain credibility as a vehicle for genuine change, it must resolve its internal contradictions quickly, firmly, and transparently. Otherwise, it risks becoming just another party swallowed by the same system it once promised to disrupt.