Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-01 04:05:13
The Labour Party (LP) recently held a national convention that has exacerbated the internal crisis within the party. Led by the embattled national chairman, Julius Abure, the convention only served to deepen the rift among major stakeholders, with some now considering pulling out of the party. As a result, the party’s future looks precarious.
The convention, held in Nnewi, Anambra State, was marred by controversy from the start. It was clear that the goal of the convention was to re-elect Abure and his executive team for a second term, and any dissenting voices were not welcomed. Several individuals who attempted to distribute critical leaflets about the party leadership were arrested, highlighting the contentious atmosphere of the event.
Despite opposition from various factions within the party who called for a delay in the convention to allow for wider consultations and peace-building efforts, Abure and his team were unanimously re-elected. Notable figures such as the party’s only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State, and former presidential candidate Peter Obi were absent from the event, further underscoring the internal divisions within the LP.
Following the convention, Abure and his team offered automatic tickets to Obi, his running mate Datti Ahmed, and Otti to contest on the party’s platform in 2027. They also approved the party’s financial report and called for unity among warring factions at all levels of the party. However, the legitimacy of the convention was called into question by various groups, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Labour Congress (NLC).
In response to the convention, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah denounced the proceedings as illegitimate and vowed not to recognize Abure’s leadership. The Lamidi Apampa faction also criticized the convention, citing procedural irregularities and lack of representation from key party stakeholders. In light of these challenges, the LP’s Board of Trustees (BOT) announced that they were assuming control of the party to prevent a leadership vacuum.
Moving forward, the BOT plans to organize an all-inclusive national convention to address the party’s internal strife and chart a path forward. However, the LP’s internal divisions have already had consequences, as six members of the Enugu State House of Assembly recently defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) due to irreconcilable differences within the LP.
As the LP grapples with its internal crisis, the future of the party remains uncertain. With major stakeholders divided and internal squabbles intensifying, the party’s ability to fulfill the aspirations of its members and constituents is in jeopardy. Only time will tell if the intervention of the BOT and rejection of Abure’s leadership by key organizations will be enough to save the LP from further implosion.
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