The Labour Party (LP) said it will take legal action against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the unlawful break and entry into its national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
NLC had directed its state councils and political commission to picket LP offices across Nigeria over an allegation of corruption against the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure.
NLC gave this charge in a communique dated Tuesday, March 19, 2024, even as the tussle between the Labour Union and the leadership of the LP worsened after which its members attacked the party’s office in Abuja.
The leadership of the Labour Party in a press statement signed by spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh has described the unlawful break and entry into its national headquarters by the militant arm of NLC and a colossal destruction of properties as a criminal act, a misplacement of priority and an action done in bad fate.
The party also notes that the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero’s greed and inordinate ambition have pushed him into losing every sense of discretion and decency in his recent conduct, be it in his affairs with the workers or even the government.
LP also wondered how Ajaero would lead a band of lawless persons who are known to have partisan interests in other major political parties such as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) against a recognized independent political party.
The party said it is, however, reviewing Wednesday’s criminal actions and disruption of activities in its national headquarters with its legal department for further actions.
“What we saw today appears to be a personal vendetta against the national chairman, Julius Abure who they called several unprintable names including labeling him a thief. We are certainly going to take legal action on matters of libel,” said Ifoh.
Ifoh added that Ajaero’s continuous claim that NLC owns the Labour Party is not in any way supported by either the Electoral Act or the Constitution.
The Labour Party spokesperson stated that for Ajaero’s information, a political party is owned by those who are card-carrying or financial members of the party
“We are aware that more than 90 percent of the members of the NLC have not met this condition and therefore cannot claim to be the owners of the party,” stated Ifoh.
“The constitution also provides that no organisation can own any other organisation. The NLC as an organisation can therefore not claim the ownership of the Labour Party.”
LP pointed out that Nigeria is witnessing the worst economic strangulation ever in the history of the country.
It spoke about issues such as poor workers’ wages, high inflation and insecurity with Nigeria turning to a hobbesian state, yet after a year of his assumption of office, Ajaero has chosen to ignore all these national challenges.
“It would interest you to know that Ajaero’s NLC is yet to successfully picket any Federal Government establishment,” the statement read.
“His attempt to extend his rascality to Imo state was met with a higher and brutal force. Unfortunately for us in the Labour Party we do not command any force unlike the NLC that is now encouraging militancy within its ranks.”
Ifoh added that by its own constitution, the NLC cannot even call for a picketing of any establishment without a directive of its National Executive Committee (NEC).
However, according to LP spokesperson, what was seen on Wednesday was a political committee acting out an illegal script by Ajaero.
Ifoh added that the committee has no legal right to call an action in the nature of picketing or breaking and entering into a political party where most of them are not even members.
