The Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has dismissed as “laughable, naive, and misleading” the alleged appointment of a new caucus leader by the embattled former national chairman of the party, Barr. Julius Abure.

This comes after the caucus had earlier welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment last Friday and pledged to support peace and progress under the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman.

In response, Abure announced the ‘sacking’ of Hon. Afam Victor Ogene as caucus leader.

However, LP lawmakers emphasized that the caucus leader is elected by members, not appointed by party officials.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Hon. Ogene, the caucus clarified that on May 6, 2023, Ogene was duly elected leader by 21 votes out of 31 members who participated in the election.

The position, they said, can only be changed by those who elected him, not by “an authoritarian, power-thirsty individual still battling allegations of misconduct.”

The statement further criticized Abure’s leadership style, calling it centered on “forgery, slush funds, and personal gain.”

The caucus believes Abure’s actions are a response to their support for the Supreme Court ruling that effectively ended his tenure.

They also accused Abure of financial mismanagement, alleging he failed to account for party funds from the 2023 elections and raised millions through sales of nomination forms without depositing any money into party accounts. His current interest in accessing caucus funds was described as a desperate attempt to sustain a questionable lifestyle.

The caucus reaffirmed that its funds remain intact and will only be used according to members’ decisions, not at the discretion of a former chairman “sacked by the Supreme Court and burdened by serious allegations.