The alleged takeover of the Labour Party (LP) by its Board of Trustees (BoT) appears to have escalated the party's internal crisis. A statement from the party’s BoT Chairman, Sylvester Ejiofor, cited the expiration of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by National Chairman Julius Abure as the reason for the takeover. Abure was re-elected at a convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, alongside some national officers.
The BoT claimed it stepped in to prevent a leadership vacuum. It announced plans to organize an all-inclusive and expansive national convention, in accordance with a 2018 Federal High Court judgment recognizing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the LP's owners. The convention is intended to comply with an agreement signed by Abure, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in June 2022, mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Unlike the recent convention in Nnewi, which the BoT referred to as a "charade," the upcoming national convention aims to be more democratic, starting with grassroots congresses at various levels. The BoT assured stakeholders of its commitment to revitalizing the LP as a platform for the socio-political advancement of Nigeria. The statement praised LP members and leaders, including Peter Obi, for their adherence to party ideals and promised a transparent process involving INEC, the media, civil society, security agencies, and the public.
