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Labour Party Crisis: BoT Seizes Control, Labels Anambra National Convention As Sham

Published

8 months ago

Mar 28, 2024.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Labour Party (LP), has on Wednesday stepped in to steer the affairs of the party, following the expiration of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Mr. Julius Abure.

The party said, in a statement by Chairman of the BoT, Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor, that the step was to avoid leadership vacuum.

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By that development, however, the BoT ignored yesterday’s national convention of the party in Nnewi, Anambra State, which re-elected Julius Abure as its national chairman for a second term through unanimous affirmation by delegates.

File Image of Embattled LP National Champions,

The convention was held in the absence of key members of the party, including the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi; governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti; and senators of the party from Anambra State, Victor Umeh, and Tony Nwoye.

But the BoT said in consultation with major stakeholders in the party, it would soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention. It claimed this was in line with the March 20, 2018 Federal High Court consent judgement delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owners of LP and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive national convention of the party be held.

The BoT stated, “The decision of the Board of Trustees is also in furtherance of the agreement signed between the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 27th June 2022, which was mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“While we commend members of the Labour Party, especially workers, students, youths, market women and men, Obidients, and candidates on the platform of the Labour Party, for their contributions and fidelity to the ideals of the party, the Board of Trustees promises to quickly set in motion processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention.

File Image of Labour Party Flag

“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.

“This process will not leave any genuine member of 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.”

Meanwhile, Abure was declared re-elected yesterday at the Nnewi convention by Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu.

During the convention, journalists were barred from accessing the Grand Seasons Hotel venue in Nnewi, the Anambra State capital.

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There was heavy security presence at the venue, and attempts to get the spokesman of the party, Obiorah Ifoh, to identify and usher journalists into the venue were rebuffed.

About five persons branded as hoodlums were arrested at the venue and taken to the state police headquarters for questioning.

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