A group under the auspices of Obidient Movement & Advocate For a New Labour Party has demanded the removal of the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Julius Abure, saying they want a political party that can bark and bite and stand for the masses.
A statement by some members of the group, Prof. Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr. and Diokpa Delly Ajufo, amongst others said the Labour Party must be repositioned for the collective aspiration of the people.
“Nigerians and the Obidient Movement cannot afford a Labour Party that cannot bark and bite. The Labour Party must be repositioned to encapsulate the collective aspiration of the Nigeria people, such is the immediate challenge.
“We are calling on Mr Peter Gregory Obi the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, on the Elders and the Trustees of the Party, on the NLC and the TUC who constitutionally are the owners of the Party, on the Obidient Movement and all those who believe and insist on the need for a credible and vibrant opposition to ask Julius Abure and his Team to step down immediately and give life to the Court Judgement that ruled his tenure over in June 2022.
“This call is to bring a constitutional end to the tenure of Julius Abure, and to legitimately end the era of Transactional Labour Party leadership which defines the Julius Abure/Lamidi Apapa leadership furore. Our challenge is to enforce along with the owners of the Party the Court Judgement that mandates the reorganization of the Party and a National Convention for the Labour Party.
“Take note that following that Court Judgement, the Labour Party, the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Trade Union Congress TUC decided to stem a Leadership crisis in the Labour Party by signing up to some Terms of Settlement on the 27th of June, 2022. In the agreed terms, Julius Abure was mandated to constitute the Board of Trustees of the Party as provided by the Labour Party Constitution, to embark on an elaborate membership drive and to convene a National Convention that must reposition the Party from top to bottom. Sadly Julius Abure has reneged on the full terms of the agreement, copies of the Terms of Settlement is attached to this Press Statement.
“With Julius Abure still in the saddle as the Labour Party National Chairman the culture of a transactional Labour Party will destroy and diminish the ability of the Party to play the role of a credible opposition to the ruling APC, and by Jove banish the ability of the Party to win future elections.
“The performance of the Labour Party in the off-season Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa State Governorship elections tells how lacklustre and ineffective the Julius Abure led Labour Party has become. It shows the shape of leadership and defines the hopelessness that a Julius Abure led Labour Party holds for the masses of our people.
“We hereby insist that the NLC and the TUC give life to the June 27th, 2022 Terms of Settlement by setting up a National Convention Committee that must take immediate responsibility of reorganizing the Labour Party and positioning the Party to lead the much needed opposition.
“Julius Abure must for now for the Party to reorganize and position itself for the next year Edo State Governorship elections. Edo State is arguably the most Obidient State in Nigeria and cannot afford a transactional Labour Party leadership bungling the chances of the Labour Party winning Edo State.
“This is not a Julius Abure versus Lamidi Apapa fight, this is the fight for the soul of the Labour Party. This is a fight for the reorganization of the Labour Party. This is a patriotic fight seeking a NEW Labour Party that must challenge the present leadership to responsible and responsive management of our collective patrimony. It is a fight for the soul of the Party, and this fight will assume the most vehement legal dimensions possible as Nigerians are calling on the Labour Party to lead the challenge for a New Nigeria.
“We are documenting the many infractions of the Julius Abure led NEC of the Labour Party. We are committed to ensuring that steps are taken within the next 4 weeks by the NLC, the TUC, The Presidential Candidate of the Party Mr Peter Gregory Obi, and the Elders of the Party to compel Julius Abure to step aside and allow the Labour Party a new lease of life. And we shall stop at nothing including involving the Anti-Corruption Agencies and the Police in the probe of a highly transactional Labour Party under Julius Abure”. The statement said.