Politics
Abure, Ajaero Must Go, Trade Union Veterans Insist
The crisis rocking the leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new twist on Monday as Labour veterans and trade unionists’ assembly have insisted that the National Chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure and the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, must go.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Veteran labour leader, Comrade Isah Tijjani, who was the former vice president of NLC lamented the ongoing show of shame, being flagrantly exhibited by the duo of Abure and Ajaero.
He said instead of proudly upholding the noble ideals of the party, a handful of avaricious, power hungry political fraudsters, have since deployed several criminal subterfuges through which, they have succeeded in turning the nation’s promising workers party into a colossal political travesty.
“The cumulative effect of this unfortunate development, is that, the political prospects signalled by the entry of this popular party into the contest for power in our dear country, are fast eroding into an unfathomable oblivion.
“This disagreeable decadence gripping the party, is being given tangible expression by the irony of the corrupt party leaders closing the gate of the party firmly against millions of workers willing to joyously join the party.
“Regrettably, as we speak, this pathetic situation continued unabated, because the NLC which is supposed to play its rightful role as the collective conscience of the party, woefully failed to rise to this enormous responsibility, which she treats with unforgivable levity and reckless abandon.”
The Veterans therefore, asserted that, a quick glance at the current critical issues, by any casual observer, is likely to reveal, that, at the deep roots of these daunting challenges, is the nauseating culture of selfishness under which the very obstinate and highly egocentric president of NLC, comrade Joe Ajaero, has been deeply enmeshed.
Adding, Tijjani said the unwholesome reality, partly explains why in recent times, the NLC under comrade Joe Ajaero, continues to register huge losses in both the field of Industrial Relations and in the battle to recover and reposition the Labour Party.
“The legion of Labour Veterans, is intimately familiar with the damning records of financial sleaze said to have been flagrantly perpetrated by the national chairman of LP, Julius Abure, an inveterate money monger of no mean repute.
“This familiarity has emboldened the rank and file of our members nationwide, to spontaneously join the many well meaning and patriotic groups and highly spirited individuals who are calling for the immediate arrest and trial of Mr Julius Abure.
“We strongly believe, that his trial and subsequent conviction will serve as a deterrent to aspiring younger politicians, particularly those from trade unions background.
“In this connection, our good members are hereby strongly reaffirming their cardinal demand, that, Abure Must Go.
“Hence, our members will not despair, in pointing the many failings of comrade Joe Ajaero, especially in the sphere of labour unionism, which clearly demonstrate that his well known choleric temperament and overly undemocratic character, have combined to make him totally unsuitable for labour leadership,” the said.
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has levelled serious accusations against the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, claiming he has attempted to utilise the party’s platform to incite insurrection in Nigeria.
In a recent appearance on News Central, Arabambi dismissed Obi’s assertions that he won the last presidential election, further igniting the ongoing internal disputes within the party.
This statement follows a significant decision made by the faction of the party led by Peter Obi, who recently announced the indefinite suspension of several notable members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), and Senator Darlighton Nwokocha (Abia Central), citing alleged anti-party activities.
The announcement came after an emergency meeting of the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Abuja, where members reviewed the findings of a five-member Disciplinary Committee established the week prior.
Chaired by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the committee included National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim and three other senior party officials, tasked with investigating the misconduct allegations against those suspended.
Following what they termed “exhaustive deliberation” and in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution, the NEC ratified the committee’s recommendations.
Other members suspended with immediate effect include Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
Arabambi expressed disbelief at the audacity of Otti and Obi, stating, “How can Alex Otti and Obi claim to be chairman and secretary? They even have the nerve to write to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) as chairman and secretary to convene a NEC meeting.”
He referenced specific sections of the party’s constitution, asserting, “Section 82(1) stipulates that such letters must be signed by the national chairman of the party, and Section 12 clearly states that any association wishing to register as a political party must have its own constitution. Furthermore, Section 3, number 222 of the Constitution forbids caretakers from managing the affairs of a political party.”
Arabambi went on to criticise the party’s leadership, saying, “They brought in Dr. Doyin Okupe; now they have turned to Nenadi Usman.” He alleged that Usman has an unresolved matter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dating back to 2015, adding, “Obi is synonymous with associating with corrupt individuals.”
He continued, “They claim to be nationalists, but they are nothing but intruders — people intent on setting Nigeria ablaze. Peter Obi and others do not love Nigeria; they require the platform to unleash chaos for political insurrection.”
Arabambi concluded, “They assert they were robbed in the 2023 election, but I am here to tell Nigerians through your station that were not rigged. The individuals Peter Obi relied upon were responsible for our electoral misfortunes.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.
He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.
Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.
The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.
The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.
… Abure’s faction suspends Gov Otti, Kingibe, others
By Abubakar Yunusa
A faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure has suspended Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, and Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), indefinitely.
The suspension was announced in a statement released by Umar Farouk Ibrahim, LP national secretary, on Wednesday.
Other members who were suspended are Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi.
On May 2, the Abure-led faction inaugurated a five-member disciplinary committee headed by Ayo Olorunfemi, the party’s deputy national chairman, to investigate some members over alleged anti-party activities.
Announcing the report of the disciplinary committee, Farouk said the national executive “rarified the recommendations of the panel”.
The LP scribe said the suspended members will no longer act for and on behalf of the party.
Farouk said Nenadi Usman, chair of the LP caretaker committee, was omitted from the list because she is not a registered member of the party.
“By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party,” Farouk said.
“All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note.
“It will surprise Nigerians and party faithfuls that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party.
“First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party being not a card carrying member of the Party.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
“We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.”
The national secretary said the party’s leadership had said it was not interested in any coalition of opposition parties.
Farouk said the initiators of the coalition “lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement”.
The LP is currently divided into two factions; one is led by Abure while the other is being controlled by the caretaker committee under the leadership of Usman.
Earlier, the caretaker committee constituted a panel chaired by Kingibe to probe Abure over allegations of corruption, misappropriation of party funds and anti-party activities.
Speaking at the press conference, Usman accused Abure of “persistently parading himself as national chairman of the party despite being removed” by the supreme court.