The Labour Party’s (LP) Board of Trustees (BoT) yesterday stepped in to steer the party’s affairs following the expiration of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Mr Julius Abure.
In a statement by Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor, chairman of the BoT, the party said the step was taken to avoid a leadership vacuum.
By that development, however, the BoT ignored yesterday’s national party convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, which re-elected Abure as its national chairman for a second term through unanimous affirmation by delegates.
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.
However, the BoT said that in consultation with major stakeholders in the party, it would soon communicate the processes for conducting an all-inclusive and expansive national convention.
It claimed this was in line with the 20th March 2018 Federal High Court consent judgement delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owner 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.
“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.”
