The Labour Party, the National Working Committee (NWC) has established a disciplinary committee to address internal issues and ensure adherence to the party’s constitution. The National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, made this announcement, emphasizing that the NWC will not hesitate to sanction any member, regardless of rank, who undermines the party’s leadership or constitutional provisions.
This development comes in the wake of a controversial stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State, convened by Governor Alex Otti, which has Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed the party president and vice presidential candidate in attendance.
The Labour Party has disowned the outcome of this meeting that set up a caretaker committee headed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, calling it illegal and unconstitutional. According to the party’s leadership, neither Governor Otti nor any other participant in the Umuahia meeting has the authority to call such a gathering under the Labour Party’s constitution.
In a press statement signed by Barrister Julius Abure, the Labour Party National Chairman, and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary, the party reaffirmed its stance, noting that the convening of any formal meeting is the sole responsibility of the national leadership. “The meeting in Umuahia is a charade, a waste of time and resources of Abia people,” the statement read.
The party further cited Article 12 of its constitution, which outlines the principal organs of the Labour Party, including the National Convention, National Executive Council, National Working Committee, and Board of Trustees. It made clear that any meeting outside of these structures is unauthorized.
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Additionally, the NWC warned members against spreading misinformation about a leadership vacuum, stressing that there is no such void within the party. The committee called for all party members to respect the constitution and party executives at all levels.
The Labour Party’s position also highlighted the procedural flaws in Governor Otti’s actions, pointing out that official party business must be transacted in writing, with formal communication from relevant bodies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As of now, no correspondence has been received from INEC regarding any objection to the party’s leadership or its conduct of the National Convention.
Finally, the party expressed its surprise at the appointment of Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee during the Umuahia meeting, noting that she is not even a registered member of the Labour Party. Her involvement with the party only began during the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign, which further delegitimize her appointment.
