The crisis within the Labour Party deepened as its National Women Leader, Dudu Manuga, and former Lagos State chairman, Dayo Ekong, defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Their departure, announced in separate interviews, comes amid a prolonged leadership dispute that has continued to divide the party since the 2023 general elections.
Manuga said her exit followed months of internal disagreement and legal uncertainty over the party’s leadership.
She insisted her decision was not a rejection of Julius Abure, but a protest against the rival faction led by Nenadi Usman, which she argued lacks constitutional legitimacy.
She expressed confidence in Abure’s legal standing and dismissed suggestions that she left a weakening political bloc.
According to her, consultations leading to the move began in December 2025, though she only made it public after concluding internal deliberations and court-related considerations.
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Ekong confirmed she has joined the NDC but declined further comment ahead of her formal inauguration, describing the move as a personal political decision.
Also backing the NDC, former FCT Deputy Chairman of the party, Faruk Datsama, said the decision was driven by the need for a more viable platform to address insecurity, unemployment and governance challenges.
Efforts to reach Abure and his spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, were unsuccessful. Reacting, the Usman-led faction downplayed the defections, insisting the party remains stable.
Speaking through aide Ken Asogwa, Usman said ongoing reconciliation efforts had brought back aggrieved members, adding that political movement is a normal feature of party politics.
The Labour Party’s internal crisis has persisted since the 2023 elections, with rival factions laying claim to its leadership.
The dispute escalated after the Independent National Electoral Commission recognized the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee as the party’s authentic leadership, following a Federal High Court ruling.