More trouble has emerged within the Nigeria Labour Party (LP) as the 2014 executive committee has regrouped, now demanding that all stakeholders implement a consent judgement from 2018. If enforced, this judgement would render Julius Abure’s leadership illegal.
During a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Callistus Uju Okafor, the 2014 acting National Chairman of the LP, and Mamman Bukar, the acting National Secretary, asserted that the 2014 national executive of the Labour Party has the legal authority to conduct a convention that could address all irregularities within the party.
Okafor, who was elected as the deputy chairman of the LP in 2014 and ascended to the position of acting national chairman in 2017 after Abdulsalam Abdukadir (now deceased) was removed from the national chairmanship, presented court documents to support his claims. He alleged that Julius Abure, who was present at the national secretariat, appointed himself as chairman.
Reading from the text of the press conference, Okafor emphasized that the party is at a critical juncture, facing a pivotal resolution in the prolonged legal battle for its control.
“It is important we make this preamble in order to disabuse the minds of people who may see our struggle as a means to destabilise our great party.
“Prior to the National Convention, at a National Working Committee meeting in Abuja, the Nigeria Labour Congress requested for 10 million membership cards from the leadership of the Labour Party for her members across the country.
“The National Chairman, Barr. Dan Nwayanwu refused, he asked the NLC and her members to join the party at their various wards. This issue lingered until the 2014 convention of the party in Akure, Ondo state.
“The convention was held on the 11th October, 2014, it was presided over by Barr. Dan Nwayanwu. The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Comrade Abdulwaheed Umar boycotted the convention. We attached the list of 2014 National Working Committee.
“Ali Abacha voluntarily left the National Working Committee meeting and subsequently left the party. Kayode Ajulo resigned as National Secretary and also left the party.
“A committee was constituted immediately to look into Clement Ojukwu’s fraudulent activities. It was chaired by Akingbade Oyelekan.
“After appearing before the disciplinary committee, Clement Ojukwu was found guilty of defrauding the three members of the National Working Committee.
“On the 8th December, 2015, National Executive Council in session ratified Ali Abacha’s decision to leave the party and Kayode Ajulo’s resignation. The Deputy National Secretary Barr Julius Abure was elevated to acting National Secretary pending when a substantive National secretary will be elected.
“The National Executive Council in session also ratified the disciplinary committee’s indefinite suspension slammed on Clement Ojukwu for bringing the name of the party into disrepute. Attached Article 20. 1 of the Labour Party Constitution 2009.”
“On 3rd October, 2017 at a Special Convention held at Stonehedge Hotel Abuja, the National Chairman, Alhaji. A. A. Salam was constitutionally removed from office for embezzlement of Party funds.
“The Convention was presided over by Chief Callistus U. Okafor as Deputy National Chairman, and Barr. Julius Abure as acting National Secretary.
“However, Abure was found guilty of diversion of party funds (Governorship Nomination paid by Amos Arolegbe in Edo state) into his personal account by a forensic audit report.
“Abure quickly joined A. A. Salam. Salam immediately reached out to the NLC for help. The NLC scheduled several peace meetings to no avail.
“Furthermore, an agreement was reached to settle the legal dispute out of court. The agreement between all the parties gave birth to the consent judgement,” Okafor said.
