Labour Party rejects Abia governor’s moves to dissolve executives

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party has rejected Governor Alex Otti’s plan to dissolve the party’s national, state, local government, and ward executives, citing alleged expired tenures.

A former treasurer of the Party Oluchi Opara called on leaders of the party to wake up and save the Party from an impending disaster.

She spoke against the backdrop of a reply by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to an application for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the monitored report of the LP Convention in Nenewi, Anambra State for which the commission said it did not monitor and hence cannot report on it.

According to her, the tenure of Abure as National Chairman of the party elapsed since June therefore any action by him and other members of the National Working Committee will be null and void forthwith.

“The tenure expired in June 2023, but was extended by one year in Asaba by the NEC.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission disowned the Labour Party’s National Convention held in Nnewi Anambra almost immediately.

In a communique issued after an emergency meeting, the NWC rejected Otti’s move.

It stated that there is no vacuum in the party’s leadership and that the tenure of the executives was to last till June 2024. The party’s national convention was held on March 27, 2024, in Anambra State, where new executives were elected.

The NWC accused Governor Otti of attempting to disrupt the party’s smooth operation and urged members to respect the party’s constitution and leadership. A standing disciplinary committee has been set up to address any further infractions.

The party also noted that INEC has not officially communicated any objections to the convention or the tenure of the executives.

The NWC emphasized that the Labour Party is a party for the people, not controlled by one person, and its ideology and principles must be maintained.

The development comes amid pending court cases challenging the party’s convention and leadership.

The NWC called on INEC to maintain neutrality and work with the recognized leadership until the courts decide otherwise.