The crisis rocking Labour Party took a new turn on Wednesday with the announcement of the composition of a 29-man caretaker committee to be chaired by former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.
Former Senate Minority Deputy Leader, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, was also appointed Secretary of a committee tasked with overseeing the election of new leadership for the Labour Party within the next 90 days. This decision was reached at the end of the party’s NEC/Extended Stakeholders meeting held at Government House, Umuahia.
According to a statement by Ukoha Njoku, Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, the committee’s terms of reference include but not limited to conducting Ward, Local Government, State Congresses, and a National Convention in accordance with the Labour Party’s Constitution, and ensuring the process is completed as soon as possible
Other members representing various interest groups including NLC, TUC, Senate, House of Representatives, House of Assembly, and Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election.
The resolution named other members of the Committee to include 3 Senators, 4 members of House of Representatives, 3 members from States House of Assembly, 3 members from the Nigeria Labour Congress, 3 members from the Trade Union Congress, 3 members from the Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election among others.
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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, stated that the meeting was summoned to address existential problems confronting Labour Party and to map out a strategic path forward. He pointed out that the National Working Committee, led by Bar. Julius Abure, had exceeded its tenure since June 10, 2024, and urged all stakeholders to unite in resolving the party’s internal issues.
Governor Otti emphasized that the paramount interest of all Labour Party stakeholders lies in the party’s survival, rather than the composition of the NWC, as long as it adheres to the party’s constitution. He called for collective action to ensure the party’s continued existence and success.
Also Speaking, the National Leader of the party and Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, said that all they are doing is to follow the guidelines established by law to save the party from total collapse.
Senator Usman, Chairman of the caretaker committee, expressed gratitude on behalf of its members to the National Leader, Mr. Peter Obi, and other stakeholders for entrusting them with this responsibility. He assured that the committee would work diligently to justify the confidence placed in them.
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A key takeaway from the meeting was the unanimous reaffirmation of support for Mr. Peter Obi’s leadership. Additionally, the committee resolved that all members with ongoing legal disputes against the party should withdraw their cases to prioritize the party’s overall well-being
Meanwhile,the Julius Abure-led Labour Party has disowned the meeting summoned by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Wednesday where ex-Minister Nenadi Usman emerged as the chairman of a 29-man caretaker committee.
In a statement signed by the publicity secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, Abure declared the meeting as illegal, urging Nigerians to disregard the outcome.
The statement said: “As clearly stated in our previous statement, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti and all others who have converged in Umuahia have no power within the Party Constitution, the Electoral Act and even within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to convene any meeting of the Party.
“The combined reading of the two provisions shows clearly that the so-called meeting in Umuahia is a charade, a waste of time and resources of Abia People.
“The premise on which Governor Alex Otti called the meeting is not only faulty but mischievous. Government business is not transacted verbally but through official communication and correspondences which are done in writing. As we speak, there is no communication whatsoever from INEC to the Party as regards any objection to the conduct of the National Convention.“We challenge Alex Otti to produce the official letter addressed to him from INEC on the subject matter. There is no vacuum in the leadership of the Party.
“Consequently, the so-called caretaker committee set up by the Governor of Abia State is not known to the constitution of the Party and can best be described as a department in Abia State Government House.
“We are shocked to note that the so-called chairman of the caretaker committee is not a registered member of the Party. She surfaced during the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign to assist Peter Obi in his campaign.”
