…as over 300 delegates prepare to elect new leaders
John Alechenu, Abuja
The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP), has vowed to go ahead with its planned National Convention scheduled to hold in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday, Match 27th, 2024.
This is amidst an ongoing crisis of confidence between Abure and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajaero, who have been at loggerheads over the ownership and leadership of the party .
Acting National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, in a telephone interview with Vanguard on Monday, confirmed that preparations “are in top gear to ensure a smooth convention.”
He dismissed speculations that the delegates’ list has gone missing.
Ifoh said, “Arrangements for a successful convention are in top gear. As I speak to you, Nnewi the venue of our national convention is agog with our preparations.
“Our delegates’ list is intact. The delegates have been informed and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has the list. The commission is the statutory body empowered to supervise the conduct of the exercise.”
Speaking further on the delegates’ list, he said, “We are expecting seven (7), delegates from each of the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), all elected members of the party in the Senate and House of Representatives as well as State Houses of Assembly, LP Commissioners and members of the National Working Committee among others.”
Although, the exact number on the list of delegates wasn’t available as at the time of filing this report, roughly 300 card carrying members of the party are expected to vote during the convention.
When asked whether the dispute with the leader of the LP caucus of the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene, has been resolved, he said,” The Labour Party is one united family.”
Recall that the leadership of the NLC had ordered its members to picket Labour Party Offices nationwide and demand for the ouster of Abure as national chairman.
They are also demanding that a caretaker or interim management committee be set up to run the party’s affairs preparatory to an all-inclusive national convention.
In Abuja, NLC leaders stormed the party headquarters last week to protest Abure’s continued stay in office after allegations of financial impropriety leveled against him by the party’s earstwhile National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Opara.
Opara had accused the party chairman of mismanaging N3.5 billion out of funds realised from the sale of nomination forms for the 2023 general elections as well as donations from Nigerians at home and abroad.
A charge Abure has since denied. He dismissed the charge as an attempt by enemies of the party to reverse the gains made during and immediately after the 2024 elections.
