The Labour Party, led by Julius Abure, has vehemently rejected the stakeholders meeting convened by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Wednesday, labeling it “illegal” and “a waste of time and resources.”
The meeting, held in Umuahia, aimed to address the party’s leadership crisis but instead sparked further controversy.
The party’s publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement disowning the meeting and its outcome, including the appointment of Nenadi Usman as chairman of a 29-man caretaker committee.
The statement emphasized that the meeting was not sanctioned by the party and therefore does not reflect its position or interests.
Abure’s leadership has challenged Otti to produce official correspondence from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding objections to the party’s national convention.
They argue that there is no vacuum in the party’s leadership and that the caretaker committee is unconstitutional.
The statement further revealed that Nenadi Usman, the purported chairman of the caretaker committee, is not a registered member of the Labour Party. Her involvement in the party began during Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, raising questions about her legitimacy in this role.
The Labour Party has urged Nigerians to disregard the outcome of the meeting, deeming it a “charade” and a department of the Abia State Government House rather than a legitimate party organ.
“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”.
“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”.
“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.” – Obiora Ifoh, Labour Party Publicity Secretary
