From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Labour Party (LP), yesterday, re-elected Julius Abure as its national chairman at the party’s national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Ikechukwu Emetu, deputy governor of Abia State and chairman of the convention, declared Abure as the winner.
The convention also announced it has reserved the party’s 2027 presidential ticket for Peter Obi and that of the governorship ticket of Abia for Governor Alex Otti.
The convention was attended by party chairmen from the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT), members of states and national assemblies as well as representatives from local government areas.
The re-election of Abure came a week after members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) picketed the LP secretariat in Abuja, demanding the postponement of the party’s national convention.
NLC accused Abure of financial rascality and going against the principles of the congress which birthed the LP by unilaterally trying to hold a national convention in contravention of the constitution of the party.
The election of a new chairman was part of the convention’s agenda as well as the amendment of the party’s constitution and the dissolution of the national working committee (NWC), among other issues.
Part of the communique issued after the convention and which was signed by Abure and the party’s National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim, read: The convention in session based on the antecedents of the presidential candidate before, during and after the 2023 general election recommend that the 2027 presidential ticket of the party be solely reserved for Peter Obi, the national leader of the party.
“Furthermore, the convention in session reviewed ongoing development and performance of its governor in Abia State, Otti, and pass a vote of confidence in him and recommend the 2027 Abia State gubernatorial ticket of the party be reserved for Otti.
“The convention approved the audited financial report of the party for 2022 to 2023 financial years.
Also, the convention in session approved the 2024 annual budget presented.
“The party also assures its numerous members across the country of an optimistic and bright future. It equally appreciate all forums, groups and others for the steadfast support in the 2023 general election and onwards.
“Now that elections are over, the convention in session encourages all groups to collapse their structure at the ward, local, and national levels into the already existing structure of the party.”
Meanwhile, NLC has rejected the re-election of Abure, saying it was an illegality that the Union’s leadership would not accord recognition.
NLC spokesman, Benson Upah who declared the position of the Union yesterday, also affirmed that the Union will never back the party under Abure’s leadership. He condemned the convention that re-elected Abure, describing the event as a charade.
“It’s an illegality, a nullity. The whole exercise was a charade! Nothing can legitimise such brazen impunity,” Upah said.
On what action the NLC will take since Abure’s re-election has been confirmed by the leadership of the party, Upah said: “You, wait and see.”