- By Halimah Olamide
The crisis rocking the Labour Party worsened on Wednesday as the Board of Trustees of the party, sacked its National Chairman, Julius Abure.
The BoT, in a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade AH Ejiofor, said the decision was to avert a leadership vacuum.
Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party in line with the Labour Party Constitution has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party.
This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the Labour Party.
The statement further disclosed that the Board of Trustees alongside of the Party in
consultation with major stakeholders in the Party will communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party soon.
This move 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 owners of the Labour Party and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party be held.
“The decision of the Board of Trustees is also 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).” The statement read.
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Commending members of the Labour Party for their loyalty to the party, the Board of Trustees has promised to set in motion a process for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention.
“Unlike the charade that took place today in Newi and in 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 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 deodorize the malfeasance that took place in New with their presence.”
The Board of Trustees has therefore assured all stakeholders of its commitment to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of the country.