By  Amos  Tauna, Kaduna

The National Coordinator of Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, has called on the Labour Party (LP) to return to its founding ideals of inclusivity and worker solidarity, or perish as a relic of one man’s ambition following the leadership crisis the party has found itself.

According to him, “The ball is now in Senator Nenadi Usman’s court and the hands of Labour Party members ready to reclaim their party’s soul.”

A statement he issued and made available to Daily Post, said, “The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has been embroiled in a leadership crisis that encapsulates the tension between democratic principles and autocratic maneuvering. At the heart of this turmoil is Julius Abure, whose controversial rise to power, legal battles, and eventual judicial rebuke by the Supreme Court offer a stark lesson in the consequences of constitutional disregard and judicial overreach.

He alleged that “Abure’s scheming, a blend of legal loopholes and political coercion collapsed under judicial scrutiny”, saying that the Supreme Court’s judgment reaffirms that legitimacy flows from democratic processes, not court rulings.

Okundaye lamented that under Abure’s leadership, LP was crippled in the sense that 12 House of Representatives members, 4 senators, and 21 state legislators defected, saying that the LP scored less than 2% in the Ondo governorship election and lost all 23 chairmanship seats in Edo LG polls while members deserted to the PDP and APC, citing Abure’s “toxic unilateralism”.

According to the National Coordinator, “The verdict affirmed INEC’s stance: Abure’s tenure expired in March 2024, and his convention was illegitimate. For Usman, this was vindication, though the apex court stopped short of installing her, urging the LP to resolve its crisis internally.”

He explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling offers the Labour Party a lifeline, pointing out that Senator Usman’s leadership must quikly convene a legitimate convention that adhere to the NLC’s consent judgment and LP Constitution, ensuring worker unions and NEC members participate.

Okundaye stated that the party should

reintegrate fractured blocs, mend ties with Peter Obi’s base, youth groups, and the Obidient Movement as well as ebrand for 2027 and prioritize internal democracy, credible candidates, and grassroots mobilization.

He explained that Julius Abure’s path to the LP’s national chairmanship began with a brazen political coup in Edo State, as National Secretary, he exploited factional divisions to orchestrate the removal of Maria Labeki, the constitutional successor of the late chairman, saying that Abure installed himself as chairman, violating the LP Constitution, as the move set a precedent for his subsequent power consolidation.

By 2023, he noted that Abure’s leadership faced legal scrutiny, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), a critical stakeholder, sued him for sidelining workers’ unions in party decisions, stressing that the case (NLC v. LP & Anor, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1626/2023) culminated in a consent judgment on March 15, 2024 where Abure agreed to conduct an “all-inclusive, expansive national convention” within one year as well collaborate with the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reorganize the party.

“Instead of complying, Abure staged a sham national convention on March 27, 2024. INEC flagged irregularities, noting the LP failed to provide the mandatory 21-day notice under Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022,” he explained.

He opined, “The LP’s survival hinges on heeding the lessons learned and ensuring no future leader becomes a second Abure.”

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has cautioned Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, over alleged anti-party activities.

In a statement released after a national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, the faction cautioned Obi against any actions that could undermine the unity and integrity of the party.

“NEC in session in exercise of its duties, hereby caution the former presidential candidate of our great party not to participate in any action capable of undermining the peace, unity, and integrity of the party as the NEC will not hesitate to issue stiffer penalties if found culpable,” the statement reads.

The party also took aim at Otti, accusing him of engaging in conduct contrary to the interests of the LP, including holding “unauthorised” stakeholder meetings and conducting LG elections using another political party.

According to NEC, Otti has been attempting to factionalise the party by convening what it described as an “illegal NEC” meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

The faction further alleged that the governor is plotting to destabilise the LP before defecting to another party ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

“NEC in session notes the various anti-party activities of Gov. Alex Otti, including calling of unauthorized stakeholders meeting and usurping the powers of NEC,” the statement reads.

“He also conducted LGA elections using another political party. The governor has also intensified his effort to factionalize the party leadership by calling an illegal NEC schedule to hold on Wednesday.

“The leadership of the Labour Party is also aware of the governor’s plot to cripple our party before moving to another political party where he hopes to contest the 2027 governorship election.

“His anti-party activities are unbecoming of a highly respected personality and can no longer be acceptable. NEC stated that it will not hesitate to discipline him in line with Article 19 of the Party’s Constitution.

“NEC in session noted that it would not hesitate to discipline any other erring member who violates the party constitution regardless of how big or powerful such individuals may be.”

On Monday, Obi and Otti announced a stakeholders’ summit set for Wednesday, April 9.