Despite the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) opposing him, Mr. Julius Abure has been re-elected as the National Chairman of the Labour Party for a second term with unanimous support from delegates.
The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu, announced his victory during the party’s national convention held on Wednesday in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Abure has been in conflict with the NLC leadership, particularly Joe Ajaero.
The NLC had previously called for Abure to step down as chairman and for the immediate formation of a caretaker transition committee to organize a fair and inclusive national convention for the party.
On March 20, workers who were denied entry into the party office gathered outside, protesting and demanding the removal of the Labour Party Chairman over allegations of financial misconduct.
The leaders of opposing factions within the party criticized the decision to choose the LP by the NLC, but they have differing opinions on the party’s leadership. The LP claims that the party’s leadership does not have to answer to Congress.
Last Thursday, former NLC President Ayuba Wabba commented on the crisis, stating that the LP does have to answer to the Congress.
Wabba, appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, explained that the party was established as a platform for union members to assert and protect their rights.
He said, “First and foremost, the Labour Party was formed by the NLC, in the realisation of a clear objective in the Constitution of the NLC. Under Article 3 and Item 1, the major objective of the NLC is to promote, defend and advance the economic, political, and social rights and well-being of Nigerian workers and pensioners,” he stated.
“We own the Labour Party; it was formed under the leadership of Pascal Bafyau, as Party for Social Democracy. Under Adams, organs decided to change the name to the Labour Party, and the first chairman was S.O.Z Ejiofor who later handed over to Dan Anyanwu.
“So, the essence of forming the party is to make sure that workers, pensioners, farmers, can be able to have a platform to exercise their rights, which is enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution. The party was formed by NLC, and registered by NLC. It’s like you built a house, you got a C-of-O, then you rented the apartment, so you must have an interest in how the property is managed.”
