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Labour Party Crisis: Abure and Otti at Odds

...convention followed legal process, Abure

Published

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 10:50 AM

Written by Omotola Adeleke

Labour Party Crisis: Abure and Otti at Odds

Furious over Abia State Governor Alex Otti's request to dissolve all levels of Labour Party leadership and hold a new convention, the National Working Committee (NWC), led by the National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure, has declared that it will not tolerate any acts of insubordination within the party.

The party leadership, in strong disagreement with Governor Otti's decision to hold a new convention, has firmly asserted that the Nnewi Convention in Anambra State remains sacrosanct.

They emphasized that there will be no reversal of this position, underscoring their commitment to upholding the established convention despite Otti's calls for a fresh one.

This information was ocontained in the party’s communiqué issued at the end of its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Abure’s NWC rejected Governor Otti’s call to dissolve the NWC and hold a new national convention. In response, they established a committee tasked with disciplining any member who fails to adhere to the party's constitution. The NWC’s move underscores its commitment to maintaining its current structure and enforcing party rules, despite Otti’s push for change.

The March 27 convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, where Abure and other NWC members were re-elected, resulted in factionalism within the party.

This division prompted the Political Commission of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to establish a National Transition Committee (NTC). The NTC was tasked with organizing an inclusive convention to address the schisms and restore unity within the party.

The communiqué stated, "The National Working Committee of the Labour Party calls on all members to adhere to the rules, show respect for the national leadership, and honor the party's constitution."

At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Abure revealed that Abia State Governor Otti had informed him during a meeting of his plan to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Saturday, August 31. He alleged that Otti intends to use this meeting to dissolve the NEC, State Executive Council, Local Government Executive Council, and Ward Executive Council, claiming that the tenures of these executives have expired. This announcement has sparked controversy and concern within the party.

He stated, "The governor does not have the authority to convene an NEC meeting to establish a caretaker committee."

Abure stated that the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party are still responsible for convening such a meeting. He also revealed that the NWC, during a meeting on Monday, rejected Otti’s proposal and affirmed that there is no leadership vacuum within the party.

The National Chairman explained that Governor Otti’s argument for dissolving the party’s executive councils was based on the claim that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had stated that the current executives’ tenures had expired. This claim arose after INEC excluded the Labour Party from a meeting it held with the leadership of registered political parties last month.

In response, Abure asserted that the March 27 convention in Nnewi, which affirmed his leadership for another four years, was conducted in full compliance with the Electoral Act, as well as the Nigerian and Labour Party constitutions. He emphasized that the convention’s outcomes were legitimate and aligned with legal and constitutional requirements, countering Otti’s assertion of an expired mandate.

Abure’s remarks underscore the NWC’s commitment to adhering to established party procedures and maintaining the current leadership structure, despite challenges and differing opinions within the party.

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

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Labour Party Crisis: Abure and Otti at Odds

The party leadership, in strong disagreement with Governor Otti's decision to hold a new convention, has firmly asserted that the Nnewi Convention in Anambra State remains sacrosanct.

They emphasized that there will be no reversal of this position, underscoring their commitment to upholding the established convention despite Otti's calls for a fresh one.

This information was ocontained in the party’s communiqué issued at the end of its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

The March 27 convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, where Abure and other NWC members were re-elected, resulted in factionalism within the party.

This division prompted the Political Commission of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to establish a National Transition Committee (NTC). The NTC was tasked with organizing an inclusive convention to address the schisms and restore unity within the party.

The communiqué stated, "The National Working Committee of the Labour Party calls on all members to adhere to the rules, show respect for the national leadership, and honor the party's constitution."

He stated, "The governor does not have the authority to convene an NEC meeting to establish a caretaker committee."

Abure stated that the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party are still responsible for convening such a meeting. He also revealed that the NWC, during a meeting on Monday, rejected Otti’s proposal and affirmed that there is no leadership vacuum within the party.

Abure’s remarks underscore the NWC’s commitment to adhering to established party procedures and maintaining the current leadership structure, despite challenges and differing opinions within the party.

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