Senator Neda Imasuen (LP–Edo South) has warned that the Labour Party (LP) is on the verge of collapse due to ongoing leadership struggles that have left it without a clear direction.
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel in Benin on Saturday, Imasuen expressed disappointment over the party’s internal conflicts, which have resulted in significant damage to its reputation and membership base.
While the senator welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to remove Julius Abure from leading the National Working Committee, he voiced concerns about the long-term impact of the leadership battles.
Imasuen noted that the continuous legal challenges had almost torn the party apart, resulting in widespread loss of members and trust.
He expressed uncertainty about whether the court’s ruling would restore unity and rebuild the party.
“The Labour Party is nearly destroyed, and many members have already left. I’m unsure if this decision will bring them back or revive the spirits of those who remain,” Imasuen remarked. “Only time will reveal if this judgment can truly revive the party.”
Imasuen also criticized the internal instability and ineffective leadership within the LP, which, he believes, has contributed to the party’s decline.
He condemned individuals who, in his view, had placed their personal interests above the party’s welfare by dragging it through endless court battles.
He stressed that such actions undermined the LP’s future, especially in the context of Nigeria’s volatile political environment.
The senator pointed out that under Abure’s leadership, the party had strayed from its core values, leading to growing disillusionment among members.
He lamented that the LP had become increasingly fractured, consumed by internal power struggles rather than focusing on its central goals.
“Many things went wrong in the Labour Party, and it’s very regrettable. Abure seemed to lack genuine commitment to the party. Instead of working to preserve it, the focus was on infighting, and that’s not what I expected from someone in leadership,” he said.
Regarding his own political future, Imasuen refrained from confirming whether he would seek re-election in 2027.
He emphasized that he would evaluate all options before making any decisions about his political affiliation, whether with the Labour Party or the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Supreme Court, in a ruling by a five-member panel, determined that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to declare Abure the national chairman of the LP.
The apex court ruled that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters, which should not have been decided by the appellate court, thereby overturning previous rulings.