Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Chijindu Emeruwa
Published on 2024-03-23 11:53:24
A former deputy national chairman of the Labour Party, Callistus Okafor, has raised concerns about the legitimacy of Mr. Julius Abure’s occupation of the national chairmanship seat of the party. Okafor emphasized that Abure was not elected through a convention and therefore his continued presence in that position is illegal. He criticized the planned national convention by the Abure-led National Working Committee and called for a new convention to elect new national officers in a transparent and inclusive manner.
Speaking on the picketing of the Labour Party secretariat by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Okafor expressed his disapproval of Abure’s actions in organizing a convention without elected delegates and conducting congresses at various levels within the party. He pointed out that the last convention held by the LP was in 2014 in Akure, and since then there has been no legitimate election of national officers within the party. According to Okafor, Abure’s appointment as Assistant Organizing Secretary in 2014 was a result of him pleading for a position that was not even provided for in the party’s constitution.
Okafor highlighted the power of the NLC to intervene in the affairs of the Labour Party and criticized Abure for extending his tenure beyond what was agreed upon in a memorandum of understanding. He also questioned Abure’s failure to communicate with key stakeholders, such as Comrade Ajaero, before organizing the convention. Okafor underscored Ajaero’s importance as a stakeholder and President of the NLC, emphasizing that his exclusion from the decision-making process was unacceptable.
In light of these concerns, Okafor called on Abure to step down from his position and initiate a process that involves all stakeholders in the decision-making of the Labour Party. He urged Abure to convene an all-inclusive stakeholder’s meeting to ensure a united front in the party’s future direction. Okafor emphasized the need for transparency, fairness, and adherence to the party’s constitution in the selection of national officers and the organization of conventions.
Overall, Okafor’s criticism of the current leadership of the Labour Party reflects a broader concern about the lack of legitimacy and inclusivity in the party’s decision-making processes. He advocates for a more transparent and democratic approach to governance within the party, emphasizing the importance of respecting the rights and opinions of all stakeholders. Okafor’s call for Abure to step down and facilitate a more inclusive convention process highlights the need for accountability and fairness in the leadership of political parties.
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