NLC, Abure-led NWC Reject New Labour Party Faction

The emergence of Callistus Okafor as a new factional leader of the Labour Party (LP) has sparked opposition from key figures within the party and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). In recent interviews, the party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, and the Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, dismissed Okafor’s claims of leadership.

For the past two weeks, the LP has been embroiled in a leadership tussle between Julius Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) and a 29-member caretaker committee led by former Minister Nenadi Usman. Amidst this turmoil, Okafor, a former LP deputy national chairman, declared himself the rightful leader of the party during a press conference in Abuja.

Okafor based his claim on a 2018 consent judgment from the Federal High Court, which he said had been overlooked by the Abure-led faction. He argued that the party leadership’s failure to comply with this court order rendered Abure’s leadership illegitimate, accusing the NWC of exploiting a faulty party structure.

However, LP National Secretary Umar Farouk dismissed Okafor’s claim, accusing him of capitalizing on the party’s internal crisis. He also pointed fingers at Abia State Governor Alex Otti, blaming him for exacerbating the division within the party.

“Okafor’s claim to be the legitimate national chairman is not new to us. If Governor Otti can form an illegitimate caretaker committee, then anyone can claim to lead the Labour Party,” Farouk stated. He further emphasized that the courts would ultimately determine the true leadership of the party.

Prof. Ndubuaku also rejected Okafor’s claims, questioning his support base within the party. He noted that prominent LP figures, including Peter Obi and Governor Otti, along with elected officials and party stakeholders, remain aligned with the Abure-led NWC.

“Okafor may want to be in the spotlight, but without the backing of key stakeholders, his claims are empty,” Ndubuaku said.

Both the NLC and the Abure-led faction remain firm that Okafor’s bid for party leadership lacks legitimacy and support.