- Ogene Vindicated as AGF Recommends Prosecution of Abure Over Forgery Allegations
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
In a dramatic turn that may shape the future of the Labour Party (LP), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has recommended the prosecution of embattled former National Chairman, Julius Abure, alongside three others, over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, forgery, and perjury. This landmark move has drawn reactions from stakeholders, particularly from the House of Representatives Labour Party Caucus Leader, Hon. Afam Ogene, who now claims vindication after years of internal party strife.
But this development is merely the latest chapter in what has become an enduring leadership crisis within the LP—one that has exposed deep-rooted divisions, allegations of corruption, and power struggles at the top of one of Nigeria’s most visible political parties.
The Labour Party, originally positioned as a platform for Nigeria’s working class and a credible third force in the nation’s political arena, gained significant momentum in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections. With the emergence of former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, as the party’s presidential candidate, LP experienced an unprecedented wave of popularity, especially among Nigerian youths disenchanted with the status quo.
However, behind the scenes, the party was slowly being consumed by internal contradictions. As the Obi campaign soared, the internal structures of the LP were being tested by allegations of manipulation, factionalism, and questionable candidate selections. These tensions came to a head with the controversial case of LP’s Ebonyi State governorship candidacy.
In June 2022, Splendour Oko Eze emerged as the duly elected governorship candidate of the Labour Party following party primaries monitored and validated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Eze’s name was submitted and published by INEC as LP’s legitimate candidate.
However, in an unexpected twist, a notice of withdrawal and substitution was later filed with INEC, replacing Eze with another candidate. This move, spearheaded by Abure and his allies, shocked observers and triggered a legal and political battle within the party.
Eze, insisting he never withdrew his candidacy, petitioned the police and later the AGF, alleging that his signature had been forged in the withdrawal letter and that a fake LP membership card had been used in the process. He also accused party officials of fabricating an affidavit supposedly supporting his withdrawal.
After a comprehensive investigation, the Attorney General’s office, via a letter dated March 7, 2025, and signed by M.B. Abubakar from the Director of Public Prosecutions, confirmed a prima facie case of forgery, criminal conspiracy, giving false evidence, and making false declarations against Julius Abure and three others—Farouk Umar Ibrahim, Nkwegu Edward Okereke, and Ojukwu Clement.
“Forensic analysis confirmed the signatures did not match Eze’s verified signature,” the AGF’s letter noted. “The affidavit was not deposed to by Eze, and the suspects had the motive and opportunity to commit the act.”
The AGF accordingly directed the Nigeria Police Force to prosecute the accused persons, and requested periodic updates on the progress of the case.
For Hon. Afam Ogene, this decision is not just legal vindication—it’s political confirmation of his longstanding criticism of Julius Abure’s leadership. Ogene, who has consistently raised concerns about the internal workings of the party, stated that the AGF’s recommendation lays bare the systemic rot that plagued LP during Abure’s tenure.
“This development affirms my long-standing position that Abure’s leadership was marked by corruption and manipulation,” Ogene said. “Justice must be served to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.”
He also criticized the Nigeria Police Force for its delay in acting on the AGF’s directive, noting that over two months have passed without any prosecution initiated. Citing a 2023 police report that revealed the accused repeatedly ignored summons, Ogene called the delay a “blatant disregard for law and order.”
The Ebonyi case is not an isolated incident. The LP has been besieged by numerous factional clashes, with competing interests vying for control of the party’s structures at both national and state levels. Allegations of parallel congresses, doctored delegates’ lists, and manipulative candidate substitutions have dogged the party’s image.
Abure’s tenure as national chairman has been a focal point of these allegations, with critics accusing him of running the party with a small clique, sidelining other stakeholders, and compromising internal democratic processes. His defenders, however, argue that his actions were taken to strengthen the party and that internal enemies are attempting to destabilize LP’s growing influence.
As the legal battle unfolds, the Labour Party faces a defining moment. Will it seize the opportunity to reform its internal mechanisms, rebuild trust among its members, and preserve the integrity it preached during the 2023 elections? Or will it succumb to internal decay, forever haunted by the ghosts of compromised leadership?
The AGF’s recommendation and the impending prosecution could reset the party’s moral compass—or further fracture its already fragile unity. What is clear is that Nigerians are watching, and the credibility of one of the nation’s most promising political alternatives hangs in the balance.
The LP, once seen as a beacon of hope in Nigeria’s political landscape, now stands at a precarious crossroads. The prosecution of Julius Abure and his co-accused could become a test case not only for justice but for the survival and redemption of the Labour Party itself.
For Hon. Ogene and other reformists within the party, this moment offers a chance to reclaim LP’s founding ideals. Whether the party will rise from this crisis or implode under the weight of its contradictions remains to be seen.
