Labour Party and its unending crisis

From Sola Ojo, AbujaPolitical scientists and gladiators posit that the issue of internal misunderstanding is natural in politics. However, they further contend that the way and manner the players choose to resolve such misunderstanding, usually determine the survival or failure of the political party in question. googletag.

cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0'); }); •ApapaThe above scenario, no doubt, paints the current picture of the Labour Party (LP).



Ironically, almost all the major political parties in the country, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have one internal rancour or the other to contend with in the build up to the 2027 General Elections.And while many had thought the LP’s crisis was close to being resolved, the decisions from the courts appear to have compounded the whole issue, as the gladiators are finding it difficult to arrive at a workable resolution to their party’s internal impasse despite being through High Court, Appeal Court and Supreme Court. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); While the embattled National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure and his supporters are saying they have followed the party’s constitution in their actions so far, the Senator Nenadi Usman-led caretaker Committee are saying that Abure cannot impose himself on the party by ignoring the stakeholders’ position.

Sadly, with the back-and-forth between Abure and Nenadi still on, the controversial Lamidi Apapa also joined the fray on Wednesday by declaring himself the acting National Chairman of the party, saying he had chosen to be silent all along because the matter was in court.So, as it is at the moment, the party appears to be standing on a tripod, with factions led by Usman, Julius Abure and now, Mr Lamidi Apapa.After a parallel National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and stakeholders interactive town hall meeting held in Abuja, on Wednesday, which had in attendance the 2023 presidential flag bearer of the party, Mr Peter Obi, his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, Olumide Akpata and Athan Achonu, the party’s governorship candidates for Edo and Imo states, respectively, the Nenadi faction proceeded to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to submit a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgement for possible action.

Meanwhile, about 48 hours earlier, the Abure-led factional NEC meeting, held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, had threatened sanctions for the Obi/Otti factional NEC meeting should they go ahead with the meeting.To Abure, the idea of a caretaker committee is alien to the party’s constitution, especially when such a committee was set up by just a few persons in Umuahia, Abia State, including Peter Obi, Alex Otti and a few others. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); However, the Nenadi Usman-led faction was of the view that the caretaker committee became necessary due to the failure of Abure to allow political units, wards, local governments, states and national delegates to determine his re-election.

Instead, he was said to have handpicked a few persons and conducted what they described as a kangaroo convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, that cajoled him into the sit-tight syndrome.Giving a brief background to what snowballed into the current full-blown party crisis while featuring on a national television breakfast show on Thursday, April 10, Deputy National President of Labour Party, Mr Ayo Olorunfemi, said Abure was accused of allegedly stealing N3.5billion and forgery which the accusers have not been able to prove to the Police or court.

“If you have been accused of such when there is no money anywhere, let alone of someone stealing it, would you have stepped down over unfounded allegation?” He asked.It is worth mentioning that, while this crisis lingers, those elected on the platform of the party have refused to make their financial obligations to the party for obvious reasons.In all that has transpired, one thing is clear: the critical stakeholders in the LP, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), are no longer at home with Abure, hence, the desire to weed him out at all cost.

$(document).ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).

push({})}); Also, the coming of Apapa, who declared himself the new helmsman of the party, may be another set back for the party because, he was never a party in the suite set aside by the apex court. But with the availability of the CTC, the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee celebrated the Supreme Court’s judgment, which according them, affirmed their leadership, and of course, Alex Otti, Peter Obi Datti Ahmed-Baba, and lawmakers elected on the platform of the party backed this faction.-However, the Julius Abure’s group disputed the judgment, labelling the Usman-led committee’s meeting and decisions as “illegal.

” They accused Obi and Otti of attempting to hijack the party structure.Daily Sun recalls that the Supreme Court’s judgment centred on the legitimacy of Usman’s caretaker committee, which Abure’s faction challenged in its interpretation of the court ruling.The LP’s constitution outlines the process for leadership selection, but both factions interpret it differently.

As things stand, INEC appears to be under pressure to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment, but its authority in internal party matters, appears limited, it was further learnt.At the April 9th meeting, Peter Obi dismissed rumours of leaving the party; rather, he emphasised the need for party loyalty and competence as a way forward ahead of the Anambra governorship election and 2027 general elections. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); Although Alex Otti faulted Abure for refusing to step down despite his tenure expiring and a promise to make him the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, he also called for unity of purpose.

But, the embattled chairman, Abure, appeared to have rejected suggestions from his party men, with his persistent accusations of Obi and Otti of power play, maintaining that their actions could destabilise the party.In clear terms, to resolve the unending crisis within the party, both factions, including the emerging Lamidi Apapa’s own, must engage in dialogue, prioritising the party’s interests over individual ambitions.Also, INEC’s role is crucial in ensuring the party’s compliance with electoral regulations, taking position in supervising the conduct of fresh elections to elect leaders of the party, as outlined in the party’s constitution.

Ultimately, the LP’s future hinges on its ability to resolve internal conflict and present a united front. The Supreme Court’s judgment and resurgence of Lamidi Apapa have added some form of complexities to the situation, making a peaceful resolution more pressing as time ticks.Meanwhile, Senator Nenadi Usman has assured party members and supporters of her commitment to rebuilding and growing the party for victory.

$(document).ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).

push({})}); In a message of appreciation to members and leaders of the party after the Wednesday’s NEC meeting in Abuja, the former Kaduna lawmaker assured that a new LP will come out of the crisis now that the crisis has finally been settled by the apex court of the land.She remarked that the Wednesday’s meeting “marked a significant moment in the life of our great party, the Labour Party, as the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting and Stakeholders’ Interactive Townhall convened in Abuja. It was a gathering filled with purpose and clarity, and I was truly honored to be present among eminent leaders and committed stakeholders including my dear elder brother and grand leader, Mr.

Peter Obi, and his running mate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the leader of NEC, Governor H.E.

Dr Alex Otti, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, elected National and State Assembly members, as well as representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), leaders of the Obidient Movement and other patriotic Nigerians.“The meeting was both timely and necessary, as we work collectively to fortify the foundations of our party, build unity among our ranks, and refocus on our enduring mission of building a New Nigeria that works for all.

It is with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility that I accept the resolution passed at the NEC meeting, appointing me as the Acting National Chairperson of the Labour Party. I am grateful for the unanimous vote of confidence and for the trust you have placed in me to lead during this transitional period.“We followed up this important milestone with a formal visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where we presented the Supreme Court judgment affirming the legitimacy of our party’s leadership transition and communicated the outcome of our NEC proceedings.

‘This is more than a procedural step, it is a demonstration of our collective commitment to due process, internal democracy, and the transparent governance that the Nigerian people rightfully expect from us. I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all members of the Labour Party, the leadership of the NLC and TUC, the Obidientt Movement, and every Nigerian who continues to believe in this movement. To our leader and presidential candidate, Mr.

Peter Obi, your steadfastness and integrity continue to inspire millions.“I reaffirm my commitment to the values and vision that define the Labour Party — a party of the people, for the people. Now is not the time for distraction or division.

Now is the time to build, with unity, courage, and a deep love for our country. Together, we will continue this journey of hope, and I pledge to serve with diligence, openness, and unwavering focus on our shared goals. Let us remain steadfast, engaged, and hopeful.

The New Nigeria is not a dream deferred it is a vision in progress,” she added. $(document).ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.

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