The Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, and the party’s National Working Committee appear to be digging in for a fight to retain their positions after the Extended Stakeholders meeting held in Umuahia on Friday September 6, created an interim caretaker committee to manage the organization.
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State convened the stakeholders meeting attended by Peter Obi – the party’s last presidential candidate, and other party stalwarts.
The committee is headed by Mrs. Nnenadi Usman. Its task is to reconcile the party factions and chart a new course for electing members into party positions from the ward up to the national level.
Abure’s Response
However, Mr. Abure, addressing his National Working Committee at a meeting in Abuja on Monday, told them, “We are at a critical moment in the life of our Party” and accused the elected political office holder members of the party such as Alex Otti, and even the presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of betrayal.
He called the stakeholders meeting “the illegal gathering in Abia State” and said it was merely an attempt to “install a so-called new leadership” on the party.
“Let me be clear,” Abure said, “this action was not just illegal; it was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for. A reward for loyalty with ingratitude, a reward for support with insubordination.”
Abure stated that the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, made several wrong accusations against him. He explained for instance that there was no Supreme Court ruling against him contrary to the governors assertion, and the issue of party agents for the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections are in the hands of the candidate, Olumide Akpata, and not the party.
The Labour Party Presidential ticket is no more reserved for Peter Obi , it is now open to all party members – Julius Abure pic.twitter.com/HhVgkEmezV
— TVC News (@tvcnewsng) September 9, 2024
“Following the controversies with the Edo guber candidate, the access code for the uploading of polling unit agents was handed over to Barrister Olumide Akpata to enable him upload his polling unit agents.” Abure said.
Addressing the allegation of mismanaging the 2023 campaign funds, the party boss disassociated himself from the campaign funds.
“I must seize this opportunity to clarify a few issues. I and the Party have been accused of being responsible for Peter Obi’s failure in the 2023 general election. They have stated that the party mismanaged the campaign and election donations,” he said.
“Let me make it categorically clear that campaign funds were disbursed and administered” by Doyin Okupe, Akin Osuntokun, Datti Baba-Ahmed, and Peter Obi.
“It will be safe for me to conclude that I and my colleagues elected in the Convention of our Party held on the 27th day of March 2024 will defend the mandate given to us by members of this party. No amount of intimidation or harassment will make us surrender this leadership.”
The Labour Party came a surprising third position in the last election in 2023, and has been seen by many admirers as an alternative to the traditional parties accused of failing to deliver transformative governance. However, it’s internal wranglings and inability to resolve them since after losing the election last year, have left many supporters exploring alternative platforms for Nigeria’s redemption.
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