Labour Party Lacks Leadership – LP Senator Umeh

Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has voiced concerns over the absence of leadership in the Labour Party (LP). Speaking during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Umeh highlighted the internal crisis gripping the party, noting the lack of a legitimate executive committee.

The senator’s comments follow a series of actions taken by key Labour Party stakeholders, including Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State. In an effort to resolve the leadership crisis, they convened a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Umuahia, which resulted in the appointment of former Finance Minister Senator Nenadi Usman as head of an interim National Working Committee (NWC). The NWC was given a 90-day mandate to organize congresses and a national convention to elect new party leaders.

Despite these moves, factional opposition persists. Callistus Uju Okafor, a factional acting chairman, denounced the NEC meeting as illegal, while Julius Abure’s group also rejected the proceedings. Okafor declared that the selection of Usman was unconstitutional, calling the NEC gathering a “jamboree.”

Umeh, however, defended the Abia meeting, emphasizing the importance of party members taking control in the absence of legitimate leadership. He argued that when the party lacks a functional executive committee, concerns about constitutional adherence become irrelevant.

“The Labour Party currently has no legitimate executive committee. Those in power have overstayed their tenure, leaving the party without direction. When there’s no leadership, members must step up to create one,” Umeh stated.