***As INEC confirms expiration of the Abure led NWC

The embatled Labour Party leadership led by Julius Abure has rebuffed recent claims by the newly appointed caretaker committee chairman Senator Nenadi Usman, dismissing her statements regarding the party’s alleged risk of deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

Senator E. Nenadi Usman, Chairman of the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee, at  the inaugural meeting had indicated that the emergence of her committee had saved the party from deregistration harmer hanging on it.

The central issue was concerned with the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC), which expired on June 8, 2024. Since then, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deemed the leadership under the embattled Julius Abure to be illegal. 

The Stakeholders were alarmed when Abure was asked to leave an INEC meeting, and the party was not invited to a subsequent meeting in preparation for the septembet and November elections in Edo and Ondo states respectively.

The issue prompted the caretaker arrangement by the stakeholders that saw to the emergence of Nenadi Usman and 29 other members.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently confirmed the fears of the stakeholders when it asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to dismiss a suit filed by the Labour Party (LP) challenging its exclusion from a refresher training organised by the Commission for uploading party agents in the upcoming Edo and Ondo states governorship elections.

In a counter affidavit deposed to by Ayuba Mohammed, an executive officer in INEC’s Litigation and Prosecution Department, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, the electoral body maintained that based on its records, Julius Abure’s tenure as the National Chairman of the LP, along with the party’s National Executive Committee, expired in June 2024.

INEC claimed it did not monitor, participate in or recognise the purported national convention of the party held on March 27 in Anambra State, where Abure claimed he was re-elected. 

The Commission argued that the convention was conducted in breach of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s regulations and guidelines for political parties 2022, and the LP’s constitution 2019.

Citing its regulations, INEC stated that it only deals with valid and subsisting national chairmen and secretaries of political parties in issuing notices and correspondence. As of August 16, 2024, when the refresher training notice was issued, the Commission asserted that the LP had no valid national chairman or secretary, as their tenure had elapsed in June 2024.

In a written address in support of the counter affidavit, INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, argued that the LP’s suit is seeking declaratory reliefs, which cannot be granted as a matter of course or based on mere admissions. They contended that the LP must succeed on the strength of its case, even in the face of admissions.

The Commission’s lawyers further submitted that having failed to comply with the extant legal frameworks in conducting its national convention; the party does not have a valid leadership that INEC could engage. They urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that the party was not entitled to the reliefs sought.

In a strongly worded press release, Obiora Ifoh who claomed to be the National publicity secretary of the party, described Usman’s comments as “ludicrous, unattainable, unsubstantiated, and a pack of lies.”

He alleged that Senator Usman, is a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the leader of a faction within the Labour Party, had stated that the party was saved from deregistration through the intervention of some leaders during a stakeholders’ meeting held on September 4, 2024, in Umuahia. 

However, the Labour Party leadership refuted this claim, affirming that the party is in full compliance with Nigerian laws and not in danger of deregistration by INEC.

“The Labour Party is in good shape at the moment, having fully abided by the laws of the land,” Ifoh asserted, emphasizing that the party’s existence is not threatened. He further criticized the claims made by Usman, pointing out that she is leveraging INEC’s erroneous belief that the tenure of the party’s current executives has expired.

The party also questioned the legitimacy of the September 4 stakeholders’ meeting, labeling it as “unconstitutional and illegal.” According to Ifoh, the Labour Party’s constitution does not recognize “stakeholders” as an official organ of the party, and the group led by Usman has “no foundation whatsoever.” 

To reinforce their stance, the Labour Party cited recent legal victories, including rulings by an Appeal Court in Edo State and the Federal Capital Territory, which affirmed Julius Abure as the party’s rightful National Chairman.

Additionally, Ifoh referenced a Federal High Court ruling by Justice J.K. Omotosho that declared the national convention held on March 26, 2024, in Nnewi, valid and in compliance with both the 2022 Electoral Act and the Labour Party Constitution.

The Labour Party further dismissed concerns that it failed to meet the 21-day notice required by INEC for conducting the national convention. Ifoh stated that the matter had been settled, with the court confirming that the party’s notice to INEC exceeded the required timeframe as stipulated by the Electoral Act.

The statement also criticized Usman and her allies for allegedly attempting to pressure INEC into acting against the party’s interests and engaging in “forum-shopping” for a court in Abia State that would favor their cause. Ifoh advised Usman to seek proper legal counsel, highlighting that the Labour Party and INEC are headquartered in Abuja, making attempts to involve a court in Aba jurisdictionally inappropriate.

In closing, the Ifoh urged Senator Usman and her supporters to “retrace their steps” for the benefit of the party and the nation, particularly as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace. “Factionalising the party will help no one’s interest,” Ifoh warned, calling for unity within the party to move forward collectively.

****Describes obidients as diverse, inclusive Movement

***As LP renames Directorate of Obidients Affairs as Directorate of Mobilization, Integration

As crises continue to rock the Labour Party over the status of the Obidient Movement, the Presidential candidate of the Party in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi has clarified that the Movement can not be annexed by any political party.
Against the backdrop the fact that the Party had created a directorate for the Obidient Movement for which it appointed eight ‘Obidient’ members to control its affairs Obi said no
Political Party can create a directorate for the Obidient Movement
Obi who is the Principal mentor of the Obidient Movement In Nigeria, indicated that the group is beyond a political party and cannot be so annexed and subsumed in to one.
A statement by his spokesperson Dr Yunusa Tanko quoted Obi to have explained the LP standard bearer wrote in his X handle on Wednesday saying, “I like to categorically state that the Obidient Movement is not a directorate in any particular political party. Any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of this non-existent directorate are simply not members of the broader Obidient Movement.

“There may be a youth mobilization directorate in political parties but the Obidient movement is far beyond a particular political party. The Obidient Movement is a diverse and inclusive collective that transcends traditional political, religious, and ethnic affiliations.

“It is not domiciled within any particular party or headquartered in any particular part of the country. Its membership spans across Africa and the globe, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, including rural communities, and public, private, and corporate entities, united by a shared vision for a New and better Nigeria. Guided by the principles of adaptive and transformative change, progress, discipline, and democratic values, the Obidient Movement advocates for fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice.

“It is committed to a strictly accountable and responsible code of government. Our members are committed to contributing to the realization of a better future for Nigeria through the New Nigeria project, anchored on loyalty, integrity, and democratic values.

“The Obidient Movement seeks to foster positive change through a commitment to integrity, honesty, and accountability, rejecting deceitful behaviours.

“We serve as a beacon of hope for a reimagined Nigeria, where leadership is grounded in character, capacity, competence, compassion and the well-being of all citizens.

“Let this serve as a clarification that the Obidient Movement operates independently of any political party, and its membership is not limited to any particular affiliation.

“Our focus remains steadfast on driving positive change and promoting a New Nigeria for all. This is who we are and will remain for all time.
The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiorah Ifoh had earlier explained the move in creating the directorate to be part of the repositioning efforts of the party towards integrating millions of youths particularly, the ‘Obidient’ family into the Labour Party.
However, while reacting to the new twist as clarified by obi, the party renamed the Obidient Directorate as Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration
Obiora again in a statement said,

“Following the controversies arising from the creation of the Directorate of OBIDIENT Affairs, in the party, the Directorate is hereby renamed the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration.
“The inauguration will take place on Saturday June 8, 2024 at the party’s National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja by 10 am.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Julius Abure, has begged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its leadership to let bygones be bygones, join hands with the LP to end the collective misery of Nigerians occassioned by bad governance. 
Abure made the plea at a press conference, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, on Wednesday. 

Recl that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had stormed the national headquarters of the Labour Party in Abuja to express their discontent with the leadership over perceived betrayal of the party’s foundational principles.
The labour centre also called for the resignation of the national chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure, whom it accused of attempts to orchestrate a convention under the cover of darkness, bypassing the agreed-upon all-inclusive approach.

Despite their misgivings Abure was reelected in the controversial convention of the Party that held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

After the outcome the NLC announced the voiding of the national convention that returned Abure and his cotravellers

To fill the vacuum the stakeholders announced that the congress will set up a transition committee to oversee the affairs of the party pending when new officers will be elected in three months. 

However, Abure at the Press conference on Wednesday pleaded that it would be in the collective interest of LP, the NLC and elected members of the party in the National Assembly for the party to be at peace in order to chart a new course for the nation. 

Abure said, “We must create an enabling environment to capture power and use same for the betterment of our people.
“Consequently, I want to appeal to first, my own brother, friend and Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC whom we have worked together in the trenches over the years in the struggle for the workers, to put aside whatever may be his grievances and let’s work in the interest of our people. 
“Fighting the Labour Party at this time is uncalled for and unwarranted especially at this time when the working people of Nigeria are suffering. 

“We need not waste or dissipate our collective energies in fighting ourselves over nothing.
“For us, we feel that all the bickering, fights and attacks on the leadership of the Party is absolutely unnecessary. Moreso that they are anchored on falsehood, motivated by inordinate ambition and selfish interest. 
“It is therefore in our collective interest to put all our energies and resources together and begin to fight our common enemy and reposition our party for better performance.”
Abure expressed gratitude fo the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti and other party members and leaders who supported the party to hold a success convention.
In a veiled reference to comments made by the party leader, Mr. Peter Obi about the Nnewi convention, Abure said, “We are also using this opportunity to appreciate some OBIDIENT members who understood the issues clearly and then supported the Convention and its outcome. 
“We appreciate our national leader, Peter Gregory Obi, who in one way or the other, gave his support. The position of Peter Obi is clearly understood. His situation is similar to a man who is married to about 4 wives and expected to protect the interests of all the wives and the children. 
“Hence, we appreciate him for his tactfulness. Finally, Labour Party Leadership highly appreciates the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, TUC led by Comrade Festus Usifoh, first, for refusing to join the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC to fight the party. 
“Secondly, we thank the TUC for not only supporting the National Convention but for attending same by sending a high-level delegation. There is no doubt that the TUC leadership has demonstrated patriotism, reasonableness and mature leadership.”
“Like the national leader of the party Mr Peter Obi, said, the National Convention has come and gone, it is therefore imperative for us to put our differences aside and collectively work in the interest of the party and Nigerians who are currently suffering in the midst of plenty.”
While appealing to members of the Obidient Movement to remain within the party, he urged them to acquaint themselves with its constitution and be patient. These, he said, will help them make better informed decisions. 
He said, “I hereby advise that every member should participate in the registration and the revalidation of members. The app is herby released for use and we hope that this will meet the requirement and put to an end every complaint arising from member registration. “
The LP national chairman also announced the setting up of a Directorate of Obidient Affairs to receive complaints and resolve issues involving members and ensure that that are properly integrated into the party. 
“It has also become imperative for us to persuade our elected members in the House of Representatives and the Senate that it is in our collective interest for them to work closely with the party. 
“We would like to assure our lawmakers that their interests, whatever it may be, will be adequately protected if we work in synergy. We therefore continue to appeal to our lawmakers that they must continue to be good Ambassadors of the party, 
“They must respect the Supremacy of The Party. Party is supreme . They must obey the party, obey its directives.”
Abure also announced the setting up of new committtes including: Peace and Reconciliation, Electoral Reform. The political reform committee will be chaired by Prof. Sam Amadi.