The Nasarawa State Chairman of the Labour Party, Alexander Ombugu, has dismissed claims that he has been suspended by a group allegedly operating as a caretaker committee in the state.
Naija News reports that Ombugu described the claim as false during a press briefing held on Monday in Lafia, the state capital.
The LP chairman maintained that he remains the duly recognised leader of the party in the state, stressing that the individuals claiming to be members of a caretaker committee are not known to the party’s national leadership or the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He alleged that the motive behind the claims was to defraud unsuspecting political aspirants ahead of party primaries.
Ombugu stated that the Labour Party’s constitution does not recognise any caretaker committee, questioning the legitimacy of the group.
He also accused the said committee members of inviting duly elected ward and local government chairmen, as well as other stakeholders, to unauthorised meetings in a bid to create confusion within the party.
He urged party executives, members, and supporters across the 13 local government areas of the state to avoid engaging with the group.
Ombugu also called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army, to investigate the activities of the alleged committee.
Defending his leadership, Ombugu said the party conducted its ward, local government, and state congresses in line with due process and under the supervision of relevant authorities.
He said, “In line with the Constitution of Nigeria, INEC, and our party, we have peacefully conducted the ward, local government, and state congresses, which were witnessed by the electoral umpire and security agencies.
“We submitted the names of those who emerged as leaders during the congresses and received acknowledgement accordingly from INEC.
“It is, therefore, unthinkable that a group of persons will wake up and ask INEC to dissolve what it has witnessed because of hate for one individual at the national level. We are in a democracy, not a dictatorship, and I cannot see how INEC will cancel a legitimate and statutory election that it duly witnessed and certified.”
He further urged party members to remain calm.
“I am using this opportunity to inform all our members across the wards, local government, and state not to be provoked by the illegal activities of the caretaker committee members. I urge everyone to stay calm, as there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
Ombugu expressed confidence in the party’s unity and readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the LP would emerge stronger despite current challenges.
“I am optimistic that INEC will do the right thing in this matter because the commission monitored our congresses and there were no challenges,” he said.
He also listed members of the party’s state executive, including himself as chairman, Bulus Sakks as secretary, Esther Arishi as treasurer, Isiaka Okpu as financial secretary, Ablaku Anthony as Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ayaka as auditor, and Hanatu Giwa as women leader, among others.
