The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has intervened in the lingering face-off between the leadership of the party and the Nigeria Labour Congress that escalated on Wednesday when protesting union members picketed LP secretariats nationwide.
This was disclosed in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH by the chief spokesman of his Presidential Campaign Organisation, Yunusa Tanko.
The protesters who stormed the national headquarters of LP in Abuja chanted solidarity songs and demanded the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, over an alleged ‘financial rascality’ and contempt of the NLC president, Joe Ajaero.
They were however prevented from gaining access to the party secretariat by security operatives deployed to the area to maintain order.
Obi’s perennial silence over the squabble had several political observers worried about the fate of his 2027 presidential ambition.
But a political scientist from Lagos State University, Prof Sylvester Akhaine, said Obi cannot be blamed for trying to play safe.
Akhaine, in a phone interview with our correspondent, stated that when sensitive political issues like this arise, it is wise for any politician to remain silent and stay out of the picture.
He said, “In the circumstances, silence is golden. I think Peter Obi used the party as a special-purpose vehicle. Don’t forget he dumped the PDP for LP.
“In analysis, Obedience is distinguished from the party. Right now there may be exploration for another mega party to upset the APC.”
Reacting, Tanko dismissed the report, saying his principal had waded into the crisis at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Asaba, Delta State capital, on Wednesday.
Obi’s campaign spokesman also noted that the presidential candidate has urged the party leadership to consider shifting the contentious national convention to a later date for all aggrieved parties to have a meaningful and wider consultation.
Tanko said, “Well, he has intervened, and by intervening, he had a meeting with members of the National Assembly members, especially the House of Reps and even the leadership of the party. This was why he travelled to Asaba to deliberate with the NWC and party leaders.
“The outcome of that particular meeting has yet to be disclosed. But knowing Obi for who he is, he always holds an opinion and insists on the right thing to be done.
“A wider consultation is also very important for all of us to be on the same page. So he has advised the party in that direction and I am sure they are considering it too. I understand Obi met with everybody individually. Don’t forget representatives of the NLC and TUC are also members of the National Working Committee of the party. They were also there.
“All the same, the representatives of the NLC Political Commission will be reached on this particular discussion and that will be done by His Excellency (Obi). We are hopeful that the issue will be resolved soonest. For now, His Excellency has advised that to have a meaningful wider consultation, we should consider moving it forward so that everybody will be involved.”
Also speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, also said, “I don’t speak for him (Obi). I only speak for the party. But I am aware that he has met all the relevant camps privately within the week and is trying to get the middle ground for everyone. That is the issue at hand.
“The NLC does not have power within the law to decide who becomes what in Labour Party. The laws are there.”
Meanwhile, the NLC Spokesman, Benson Upah told our reporter that there was no going back on the resolution to have Abure removed as national chairman of the party.
Upah explained that the Congress wants the party back for proper accountability and transparency.
“Abure ceased to be LP national chairman a long time ago. We repeatedly invited him to no avail. We heard he was planning a convention and he didn’t even mention to the leadership of the congress that he was planning any convention. That’s to tell you the kind of person he is. He is a creepy person. Please quote me on that. He is creepy and dishonourable mind,” he said.
In another development, the National Vice Chairman of the South-East LP, Innocent Okeke, said that the NLC had not contributed to the growth and existence of the party over the years.
In statement obtained by Sunday PUNCH from the vice chairman, he stated that individuals had devoted their time and spent a lot to get the party afloat its challenges, adding that the NLC had done nothing significant for the party.
Okeke said, “Many of us devoted ourselves to the cause, even going to the extent of liquidating assets like lands and valuables to keep the party from deregistration and maintaining its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.”
