The ongoing internal crisis within the Labour Party (LP) is escalating as the party’s only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State, has called for an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, revealed that during a recent discussion with the governor, Otti expressed his intention to convene a NEC meeting on Saturday, August 31. Otti aims to dissolve the National Executive Council, State Executive Council, Local Government Executive Council, and Ward Executive Council, citing that the tenures of the executives have expired.
“The NWC consequently notes that the national leadership states unequivocally that there is no vacuum in the leadership of our party; conscious of the fact that the tenure of the executives was to last till June 2024, the National Convention of the party was held on March 27, 2024, at Nnewi, Anambra State, where the Governor of Abia State was represented by his deputy, who also served as the Chairman of the Convention Committee.
“It must be noted that most government functionaries from Abia State, including the deputy governor, commissioners, Chief of Staff, all LP state assembly members led by the Speaker of the House, senior special assistants, and other aides of the governor, were present at that convention,” Abure said.
He added that the laws of the land, including the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, Labour Party Constitution, and other relevant laws, were adhered to during the Nnewi convention.
“Article 14 of the LP Constitution provides that only the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party can convene the meetings of the NWC, NEC, and National Convention, or any other national meeting of the party.
“In the exercise of that power, on December 20, 2023, the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party issued notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the convening of the National Convention scheduled for March 2024.
“It is important to note that Section 82(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act mandates that every registered political party must give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies, or nominating candidates for any elective offices specified under this Act.
“In compliance with this provision, the National Chairman and the National Secretary issued notice to INEC on December 4, 2023. Due to logistical reasons, a notice of change of venue was issued to INEC on March 14, 2024. Further notices of venue changes were issued on March 20 and 21, 2024. Therefore, it is clear that the party has fulfilled its obligations under the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Party.”
Abure stated that the national convention of March 27, 2024, has constitutional backing.
He warned that the party’s national leadership would not hesitate to discipline any member who fails to comply with the Constitution of the Party and the lawful directives of its leadership.
He also announced that the NWC had established a 10-man Standing Disciplinary Committee consisting of Barrister Kehinde Edun, National Legal Adviser, as Chairman; Chief Clement Ojukwu, Deputy National Chairman; Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, Deputy National Chairman; and Dudu M. Manuga, National Women Leader.
Other members are Barrister Callistus Ihejiagwa, Chairman Imo State; Alhaji Raji Mohammed, Chairman Kano State; and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, National Secretary, who is also the Secretary of the committee.
Abure stated that, even if the tenure of the current NWC had expired, it is not the governor’s responsibility to convene a NEC meeting to establish a caretaker committee.
“It remains the responsibility of the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the Party to convene such a meeting.
“It is the responsibility of INEC to officially communicate with the party in writing regarding any objections to the conduct of the Convention and to inform the leadership of the party if their tenure has expired.”
Credit Daily Trust