The Labour Party’s leadership declared that the controversial national convention would go forward as scheduled on Wednesday.
This happened two days after the party filed a formal petition with the appropriate government agencies, asking for immediate action to shield the party from more attacks by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The party also requested that disciplinary action be taken against Joe Ajaero, the president of the NLC, and other union leaders who were leading the alleged vandalism of its properties.
These demands were made in four separate letters addressed to Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Attorney General of the Federation; Ministry of Labor and Employment; and Registrar of Trade Unions, Falonipe Amos.
Last Wednesday, members of the union, following the directive of the NLC leadership, picketed LP secretariats across the nation, intensifying the ongoing struggle over control of the party.
They took this action to emphasize how strongly they felt Abure should resign.Chanting patriotic songs and calling for Abure’s resignation, the protesting employees had besieged the LP national headquarters in Abuja.
Security personnel stationed nearby to keep the area orderly, however, kept them from entering the party headquarters.
However, in a press conference issued 24 hours following the incursion, the beleaguered chairman said that the union members had broken into their offices, defaced properties valued at millions of naira, and taken some staff salaries.News of Peter Obi, the LP’s presidential candidate, frantically trying to mediate a settlement between the two camps broke on Saturday.
Additionally, it was reported that Obi counseled the party to postpone the national convention until after a long-term resolution was sought.
However, the party retracted its position on Sunday and stated that the scheduled convention could not be postponed.The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, informed our correspondent over the phone that Abure, the party’s National Working Committee, and delegates would meet in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State.”Who told you we were canceling the convention?” he asked. That is untrue.
Anything that is not from the party was not approved by the chairman or me. There is no turning back now.If not, delegates will begin to arrive tomorrow. Tomorrow is the customary “stay at home” exercise (in the East).
But on Tuesday, we are all going to get together for the convention in Umuahia.Benson Upah, the NLC spokesman, reacted angrily, declaring that Abure would not dare the congress by holding the scheduled convention.He said, “What does not exist cannot be said to have held. It is an exercise in futility, no matter where, when or how it is done.
Nullity exists as long as Abure superintended it.We do not have a deal, I can assure you. And I would like to assure you that whatever they do will be a fruitless and hopeless romp. Kindly use my quote. It has no recognition even before it is finished, making it a nullity.