Elected Members Behind our Crisis – Labour Party

The Labour Party (LP) has accused elected members of instigating the internal crisis currently plaguing the party. National Legal Adviser Kehinde Edun made this assertion yesterday during a press conference held at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Edun emphasized that the party would not be intimidated by external forces. This statement follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent announcement that none of its officials attended or monitored the proceedings at the party’s March 27 national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The legitimacy of Julius Abure’s re-election as LP chairman has been a point of contention, particularly with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The ongoing rift has seen the NLC and its affiliates distancing themselves from the current National Working Committee (NWC).

The dispute intensified after INEC responded to a lawyer’s request for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of its report on the convention and the party’s constitution. The NLC claimed vindication, further straining relations within the party.

In response, the NLC established a National Transition Committee (LPNTC), led by former NLC President Comrade Abdulwahed Omar. Omar has since threatened to remove Abure from the party.

Edun contended that INEC’s absence did not invalidate the convention, asserting that the legitimacy of the national convention remains intact regardless of INEC’s presence. He also criticized the NLC’s attempts to control the party, labeling them as illegal and unconstitutional based on sections 221 to 229 of Nigeria’s constitution, which forbid any group from owning a political party.

Additionally, Edun accused the NLC of misusing its funds for political purposes, in violation of sections 15(1) to 15(3) of the Trade Union Act.