- Obi Rejigs Media Team, Appoints Ibrahim Umar As New Spokesman
- Party Chieftains Laud Obi, Gov Otti’s Faction
- Abure-led NEC to meet, prepare response for Obi, Otti
The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new turn with both factions laying siege and appointing loyalists to take strategic positions.
The Matrix reports that the Labour Party (LP) experienced a new twist in its ongoing crisis. At a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the party’s sole governor, Alex Otti, and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, dissolved the party’s national leadership, led by Mr. Julius Abure.
In its place, former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, was chosen to head a 29-member national caretaker committee for the party.
This decision was the outcome of an expanded stakeholders meeting convened by Obi and Otti, to find a solution to the protracted leadership crisis which engulfed the party after the 2023 general elections.
The interim committee was given a 90-day mandate to organize congresses at all levels and hold a national convention to elect new leaders for the party.
While the Obi faction carried out its decision, another group of stakeholders, ‘the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission’ (NLCPC) a branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)appointed Umar Abdulwaheed as chairman of the Labour Party Transition Committee to manage the party’s affairs.
In response to this development, Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), rejected the formation of the committee, stating that it was not recognized by the LP Constitution.
READ ALSO: Obi Names Ibrahim Umar As New Spokesman
He argued, stating that “even if we were to assume, without conceding, that Abure’s tenure had expired as they claim, neither Mr. Peter Obi nor Governor Alex Otti has the authority to convene an expanded stakeholders’ meeting to appoint leaders for our party.”
in his response, he stated clearly that the issue should not be prolonged, emphasizing that before the expiration of the former NWC’s tenure, which Abure had the privilege of leading, a constitutionally required National Convention is set to be held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on March 27, 2024.
“At this convention, he was duly re-elected to serve another term. That mandate which we still enjoy, remains valid’’.he said
Meanwhile, the Obi faction took bold steps days after by confirming the appointment of Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the Senate Minority Whip in the 10th Assembly. He was appointed Secretary of a 29-member National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party (LP).
Nwokocha’s appointment was announced by Mr. Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, during an extended stakeholders’ meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Abia State Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The 29-member LP National Caretaker Committee is led by Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, a former Minister of Finance.
Obi Appoints Ibrahim Umar As New Spokesman
To strengthen his team, Peter Obi built his foundation on a solid rock as he appointed Ibrahim Umar as the new spokesperson for the ‘Peter Obi Media Reach’ (POMR).
The announcement was made by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the immediate past spokesperson for POMR, in a statement released on Sunday.
This change comes after Tanko’s appointment as the interim National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement.
The Obi-led faction announced that Tanko wilwoulddnage and coordinate the activities of the Obedient Movement at both national and international levels.
Abure-led NEC To Penalize Members Who Gathered In Umuahia
However, the Labour Party leadership will meet this Monday to determine the penalties for members who convened in Umuahia, Abia State, to form a rival faction.
READ ALSO: Kenneth Okonkwo Urges Tinubu, Atiku, Obi To Step Down For New Leaders
Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, Deputy National Chairman and former gubernatorial candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 Ondo State election, addressed the issue stating that le the party does not have a leadership problem, it has been under attack from those seeking to undermine it through desperate measures.
The Abure faction disclosed that the party secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, has reportedly sent out invitations to National Executive Committee (NEC) members loyal to Abure for a crucial meeting in Abuja on Monday.
While the agenda for the Abuja NEC meeting remains confidential, it is anticipated that the discussion will focus on addressing the so-called “Umuahia rebellion” and considering disciplinary measures against the key figures involved.
“We are not forcing them to stay. They have their plan. We know their plan. We were here when they came and we provided shelter to them.
“Going forward we believe Nigerians are looking forward to a Labour Party in 2027 and we are going to bring somebody who is not in any way popular amongst the political circle but has the integrity that syncs with the citizens to run the election.”
“We shall be meeting on Monday, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party will be meeting on Monday to take decisive action. We know what they are doing will remain “illegal, null and void.”
Labour Party Chieftain Responds
Mr. Nwabueze Onwuneme, a prominent Labour Party chieftain in Abia State, has praised the recent efforts of former presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti to protect the party from potential destruction.
Onwuneme noted that their intervention is crucial in preventing the party from falling into the hands of those who, feeling threatened by the party’s performance in the last election, seek to destabilize it.
READ ALSO: Peter Obi Hammers On Tackling Insecurity
He specifically lauded the successful stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, where Senator Nenadi Usman was appointed as caretaker committee Chairman, and commended both Obi and Otti for their commitment to preserving the party’s integrity.
Peter Ameh, a prominent Labour Party chieftain said: “As someone who has been with the Labour Party long before His Excellency Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti joined, I believe their influence on the party’s political landscape and development has been substantial.
“Their efforts to reshape and popularize the Labour Party are undeniable.
The recent stakeholder meeting in Umuahia is particularly commendable. It demonstrated that dedicated party leaders are actively steering the party towards a unified direction.
Their commitment ensures that the Labour Party will continue to serve as a vital opposition force in Nigerian politics.”
Supporters of Abure have accused the Nigeria Labour Congress leadership of removing Abure from office and would do anything to achieve that..
The Abure faction further disclosed that the increasing influence of the NLC has faced resistance from some prominent leaders within the Apapa-led faction.
Abayomi Arabambi, the Publicity Secretary of the group, stated that the party should not be taken over by the labor body.
Furthermore, the division within the Labour Party has intensified following the contentious national convention, leading to conflicts between various stakeholders, chieftains, and members and Abure’s faction.
