The Labour Party (LP) faction led by Julius Abure says all its tickets ahead of the 2027 general election are open to all qualified Nigerians to contest for.

The faction took the decision after it held a national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

“NEC in session also reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti respectively,” a communique from the meeting reads.

“Consequently, all tickets of the party from Presidency to the House of assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”

The faction said Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, did not have the power to convene a stakeholders’ meeting that produced a caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman, a former senator.

“The NEC in session noted that the Governor of Abia State His Excellency Alex Otti who convened the meeting did not have the power within the Party’s Constitution as provided in Article 14 (4) (B) gives power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman,” it reads.

“NEC in session further reiterates that the Governor of Abia State does not even have the power to call his Ward Executive meeting without the approval and the consent of his Ward Chairman.

“The meeting contravenes the provisions of Section 82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides as follows; 82 (1) Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any Convention, Congress, Conference or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this act.”

Last week, Usman was appointed to lead a 29-member national caretaker committee after Otti convened a stakeholders meeting of the party in Abia.

Obi, LP presidential candidate in 2023, and Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, attended the meeting.

Callistus Okafor who leads another faction of the party has since rejected the Usman-led committee.

Okafor has argued that there is a subsisting order of court that makes him the acting chair of the party.

President Bola Tinubu has accepted Ajuri Ngelale’s decision to proceed on indefinite leave.

On Saturday, Ngelale, special adviser to Tinubu on media and publicity, said he is embarking on an “indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters” affecting his immediate, nuclear family.

In a statement issued on Saturday night, the presidency said Tinubu sympathises with the circumstances that led to Ngelale’s difficult decision.

“The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, informing of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons,” the statement reads.

“The President accepts his reasons for the leave, fully understands them and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.

“While extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Chief Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health.

“The President notes his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation, and thanks him for the remarkable contributions he made in his various capacities, especially in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.

“The President wishes him well in all his future endeavours.”

The presidency said Ngelale’s privacy and that of his family should be respected “during this period”.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

In a statement issued by the Presidency on Saturday, Ngelale said he had submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his plan to proceed on indefinite leave.

Ngelale added that he has also stepped down as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

According to Ngelale, he stepped down from his roles to deal with medical matters presently affecting his immediate and nuclear family.

The statement read, “On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate nuclear family.

“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.

“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit. I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and me during this time.”