In a recent development within the Labour Party, a former deputy national chairman, Callistus Okafor, has raised concerns over the legitimacy of Mr. Julius Abure’s occupancy of the national chairmanship position. Okafor has said that Abure’s continuation in this role is unauthorized as no convention has elected him.
During an appearance on an Arise TV program, Okafor expressed disdain towards the proposed national convention by the Abure-led National Working Committee. He stressed the necessity for Abure to step down, allowing the Labour Party to strategize and conduct an all-inclusive convention to elect new national officers.
Okafor stated the absence of a convention since 2014, asserting that Abure’s appointment to the National Working Committee in 2014 lacked a mandate from such an assembly. He pointed out that Abure, initially appointed as Assistant Organizing Secretary, has no constitutional provision to hold such a position within the party.
“Abure’s occupancy of the LP national chairman position, along with other NWC members, is grounded in illegality,” Okafor declared.
The former deputy national chairman also criticized Abure’s secretive approach to convening a convention, bypassing elected delegates and neglecting the necessary procedures for conducting ward, local government, and state congresses.
Moreover, Okafor addressed the involvement of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stating their authority to intervene in party matters. He referenced a memorandum of understanding from the previous year, indicating that Abure was expected to call stakeholders’ meetings, which has not been fulfilled.
