Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi, was absent as Julius Abure was re-elected as the national chairman of Labour Party (LP) during their National Convention in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Also absent at the convention ground were Sen Victor Umeh, Sen Tony Nwoye and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who sent in his deputy.
Seven other National working committee members of the party were reelected. While 14 other NWC members were dropped – either for non-performance or having served out the allowable number of years with regards to the party’s constitution.
One such officer Chief Innocent Sunday Okeke (Agumba), the immediate past Assistant National Chairman (South-East) stepped down for having served out the allowable 2 terms.
Also the former national Organising Secretary, chief Clement Ojukwu, is now the deputy National Chairman.
It would be recalled that the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation as the party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organise a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.
On March 20, workers who were not allowed access into the party office gathered around the premises chanting songs against and demanding the sack of the Labour Party Chairman whom they accused of financial impropriety.
The leadership of rival camps in the party both faulted the picketing of the LP by the NLC, though they disagreed over the party’s leadership. According to the LP, the party’s leadership is not answerable to the congress.
Last Thursday, former NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, weighed in on the crisis, saying the LP is answerable to the congress.
