The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, have officially informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the appointment of a 29-member Caretaker Committee to manage the party. This decision follows a leadership crisis that has been affecting the party for months.
In a letter addressed to INEC, the Labour Party leaders explained that the formation of the Caretaker Committee was in accord with an agreement reached between the party and INEC in 2022. They cited the party’s ongoing internal wranglings as justification for a temporary leadership structure.
Signed by Obi and Otti on behalf of other stakeholders, the letter outlined the committee’s mandate to organize congresses and a national convention within 180 days and produce legitimate and democratically elected leaders of the party.
The letter also referenced INEC’s decision in June 2024 to de-recognize the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Julius Abure, which intensified the need for the caretaker arrangement.
The meeting that led to the formation of the committee took place in Umuahia, Abia State, on September 4, 2024. However, party boss, Julius Abure and his beleaguered National Working Committee have vowed to resist any leadership change.
The leadership crisis has prevented the party from providing solid opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress as is expected in a constitutional democracy.
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