Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Labour Party has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party.
Labour Party’s BOT Chairman, S.O.Z. Ejiofor in a statement said the takeover was in line with the Party’s Constitution and a step to avoid any leadership vacuum.
READ ALSO: Abure re-elected Labour Party national chairman
He said the party’s BOT is already in consultation with major stakeholders in the party and would soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention.
“This is in line with the March 20, 2018, Federal High Court consent judgment delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owner of the Labour Party and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party be held,” Ejiofor said.
The BOT’s action came hours after Abure was purportedly reelected as Labour Party chairman at a convention held in Anambra State on Wednesday.
READ ALSO: Obi, senators absent as LP returns Abure as chairman
Notably, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election and senators elected on the platform of the party were absent.
Amid an ongoing over the leadership of the party, Ejiofor said the BOT’s decision to take over the party was “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 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 the 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.”
