By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja

A new development has emerged in the Nigeria Labour Party (LP) as the 2014 executive members of the party regroup and call for the implementation of the consent judgement entered into in 2018. This consent judgement, if implemented, would render the leadership of Julius Abure illegitimate.

During a press conference held in Abuja on Friday, the 2014 acting National Chairman of the LP, Callistus Uju Okafor, and acting National Secretary, Mamman Bukar, emphasized that the national executive of the Labour Party in 2014 has the legal right to conduct a convention that would rectify any irregularities within the party.

Okafor, who presented court documents, revealed that Abure, who took over as chairman, had positioned himself at the national secretariat. The 2014 executive members are now at a turning point and are resolved to settle the long-standing legal battle for the soul of their party.

To provide context, Okafor explained that prior to the National Convention, the Nigeria Labour Congress had requested 10 million membership cards from the leadership of the Labour Party for their members across the country. However, the National Chairman at the time, Barr. Dan Nwayanwu, refused and advised the NLC members to join the party at their respective wards. This issue persisted until the party’s 2014 convention in Akure, Ondo state.

Okafor further revealed that on December 7, 2015, during a National Working Committee meeting in Lokoja, Kogi state, three items were discussed: Ali Abacha’s third term in office, Kayode Ajulo’s abuse of office, and Clement Ojukwu defrauding three members of the National Working Committee. As a result, Abacha voluntarily left the meeting, Ajulo resigned as National Secretary, and a committee was formed to investigate Ojukwu’s fraudulent activities.

On December 8, 2015, the National Executive Council ratified Abacha’s departure and Ajulo’s resignation. Barr. Julius Abure was then elevated to acting National Secretary. The Council also confirmed the disciplinary committee’s indefinite suspension imposed on Clement Ojukwu for bringing the party’s name into disrepute.

Moving forward, on October 3, 2017, a Special Convention was held in Abuja, where the National Chairman, Alhaji A. A. Salam, was constitutionally removed from office for embezzlement of party funds. Chief Callistus U. Okafor and Barr. Julius Abure presided over the convention as Deputy National Chairman and acting National Secretary, respectively.

However, Abure was later found guilty of diverting party funds into his personal account. He joined forces with Salam, who sought help from the NLC. Despite several peace meetings, a legal dispute settlement was reached, leading to the consent judgement.

According to the terms of the consent judgement, the Labour party, though not a trade union, was registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress for the betterment of Nigerian workers. The parties agreed to convene an all-inclusive National Convention as stipulated by the party’s constitution. The claimants forfeited all their claims, and the defendants were discharged from any further claims or liabilities.

Despite the consent judgement, Abure vehemently refused to comply and extended his tenure illegally. He conducted an unauthorized convention in 2019, which was in direct violation of the consent judgement. After the demise of Salam in November 2020, the Nigeria Labour Congress, led by Comrade Ayuba Waba, continued efforts to broker peace. However, Abure did not respect the mediated settlement and further extended his tenure unlawfully.

Following the expiration of the illegal extension, Abure extended his tenure for another year, which ended on June 27, 2024. As a result of these developments, the 2014 National Working Committee members, who are beneficiaries of the consent judgement, have agreed to facilitate an all-inclusive and expansive convention in compliance with the consent judgement delivered by Hon Justice G.O. Kolawole. They have also committed to reconciling with all aggrieved members and groups within six months to achieve a united and focused Labour Party.

This recent development has opened the door to potential further crisis within the party.