Anita Ogona
More troubles brewing in Labour party as the National Chairman of LP Barr. Julius Abure faulted plans by Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) over crisis in the party.
Julius Abure after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, yesterday. said Dr. Otti, the sole governor of the party, stated his intention to convene a NEC meeting on Saturday, August 31, in order to dissolve the national, state, local government, and ward executive councils.
According to Abure, Otti’s argument was premised allegedly on a claim by INEC that the current executive’s tenures had expired.
“The NWC noted that the National Convention of the party held on March 27, 2024, has been validated by a court of competent jurisdiction on June 16, 2024, when it held that issues of leadership, conduct of congresses and convention are internal affairs of a political party.
“The judge determined issues of notices and how the convention was held. Also the issue of delegates and others were determined by the court, which upheld the National Convention of the party.
“For anybody to say that there was a vacuum in the leadership of the party is not only mischievous, but also a deliberate attempt to cause panic, chaos and to disrupt the smooth working of our party,’’ he said.
Abure said that Section 82(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that failure of a political party to notify the Commission as stated in sub-section (1) shall render the convention, congress, conference or meeting invalid.
“The NWC in session notes that Section 83 (1) (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides also that the Commission shall keep records of the activities of all registered political parties.“The commission may seek information or clarification from any registered political party in connection with any activities of the political party, which may be contrary to the provisions of the Constitution or any other law, guidelines, rules or regulations made pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly.’’
The LP national chairman said the party had fulfilled its obligation to convene its Convention. “Therefore, for any person(s) or agency to begin to instigate members of the party from the back door that the tenures of the executives have expired, is tantamount to being unprofessional and mischievous.
“We must also state that government business is not conducted verbally. It is done in official communication through writings and correspondence. So, we must await any communication by INEC.’’
He, therefore, called on all members of the party to work together for the common purpose of lifting up the downtrodden. He also appealed to other contending parties to sheathe their swords and maintain the status quo until the final court verdict.
Meanwhile, the party has set up a seven-man disciplinary committee to curb the excesses of members not ready to abide by its constitution and obey directives.
He urged all members to play by the rules and pay respect to the national leadership of the party and respect the LP constitution.
“All party members are under obligation to respect the integrity and dignity of the party and its leadership. The national leadership will not hesitate to discipline any member who is not ready to obey the constitution of the party and its directives,’’ Abure said.He listed members of the disciplinary committee to include Kehinde Edun, National Legal Adviser, who is the Chairman. Other members of the committee are the Deputy National Chairman, Chief Clement Ojukwu; Dr Ayo Olorunfemi and the National Women Leader, Mrs. Dudu Manuga. Others are Chairman, Imo State chapter, Callistus Ihejiagwa; Chairman, Kano State chapter, Alhaji Raji Mohammed, and the National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, who is the secretary of the committee. Abure urged members of the party to work together for the common purpose of lifting up the poor, which the LP stands for.
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