The crisis in the Labour Party appears to be escalating as the Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday, took charge of the party’s affairs.
The move comes in spite of the re-election of Julius Abure as the Chairman. Many say his emergence is premised on his leadership which saw the party make remarkable inroads into the nation’s political landscape especially in the 2023 elections
According to a statement on Wednesday, Chairman of LP’s BoT, S.O.Z. Ejiofor said the decision to take over the affairs of the party was taken to prevent a leadership vacuum.
This comes shortly after the LP held its national convention in Anambra State that saw Julius Abure re-elected as chairman of the party.
A statement by the Bot said that “Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in line with the Labour Party Constitution, has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party,” the statement reads.
“This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the Labour Party. Furthermore, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in consultation with major stakeholders in the Party, will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party.”
He cited a March 20, 2018, Federal High Court judgment where Justice Gabriel Kolawole recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owner of the Labour Party and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party be held.
Unfortunately, the LP and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) have been at loggerheads recently with the latter accusing the party’s leadership of financial rascality and contempt for the congress leadership.
According to the NLC, Abure was “unilaterally trying to hold a national convention in contravention of the constitution of the party”.
The full statement:
In his reaction, the LP Chairman dismissed the allegation, saying the party was not answerable to the NLC leadership. The party defied the NLC’s directives and conducted its national convention on Wednesday.
The convention which held in the Nnewi area of Anambra State led to the re-election of Abure as the party’s national chairman.
Responding to the exercise, the LP BoT Chairman, described the convention as a charade. Ejiofor said the party will organise “an all-inclusive national convention” in due course.
“Unlike the charade that took place today in Nnewi and in tandem with the principles of popular democracy, the all-inclusive National Convention will start with grassroots congresses at ward, local government, state and ultimately at the national level,” the statement added.
“This process will not leave any genuine member of the Labour Party out and will be held in the full view of the Independent National Electoral Commission, media, civil society, security agents and the general public.
“We commend the leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and key stakeholders in the Labour Party for declining to deodorise the malfeasance that took place in Nnewi with their presence.
“The BOT assures all stakeholders that we are committed to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of our dear country, her working people and populace,” he said.
Related story:
JUST IN ! Labour Party Re-Elects Julius Abure as National Chairman