The ongoing crisis within the Labour Party (LP) intensified yesterday as two of the three rival factions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) led by Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman, formed an alliance against the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC). Comrade Ajaero was present at a stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, chaired by Senator Nenadi-Usman, where the National Executive Council (NEC) adopted several key resolutions aimed at restructuring the party. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, alongside NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, Women Commission Chairperson Salamatou Aliu, Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Comrade SOZ Ejiofor, BoT Secretary Comrade Salisu Mohammed, and a representative of the TUC President.
This was the first official gathering of the party’s decision-making body since the Supreme Court ruling on the party’s prolonged leadership dispute.
In its communiqué, the NEC announced the expansion of the NWC and set in motion steps to convene an all-inclusive national convention within 90 days. Other resolutions included establishing a new national secretariat in Abuja, launching a 30-day nationwide drive to mobilise 10 million members, and conducting congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels, culminating in delegate elections.
The communiqué reads: “NEC approved the expansion of the National Working Committee (NWC) structures, and the processes leading to the conduct of the All Inclusive And Expansive National Convention within 90 days in line with the consent judgment terms of settlement midwifed by INEC on 26th April 2022 and executed between the NLC and LP on June 27, 2022.
“These include the appointment of three (3) Deputy National Chairmen to Deputize the National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman in the National Working Committee (NWC) transition government, National Caretaker Committee (NCC).
“The appointment of three (3) Deputy National Secretaries to Deputize the National Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha.
“The appointment of the National Working Committee (NWC) members to fill vacancies in the National Working Committee (NWC) National Caretaker Committee (NCC).
“The formation of Standing and Ad-hoc Committees and its membership to augment process of the congresses leading to the conduct of the all-inclusive and expansive National Convention within 90 days.
“NEC approved the opening and operations of the new Labour Party (LP) National Secretariat in Abuja, FCT, immediately and to communicate same to INEC to enforce the shutting down of the old National Secretariat at No.2 IBM Haruna Street Utako District Abuja FCT immediately.
“It will thereafter commence the immediate nationwide national mobilisation of ten million (10,000,000) members into the party data base within thirty (30) days; the deployment of online registration for membership with issuance of downloadable membership cards with unique identification number system and hard copies; the revalidation of old membership with issuance of downloadable membership cards with unique identification number system and hard copies, the ratification of membership with payment of annual membership subscription dues of N1,200 only; and the registration of Support Group and issuance of downloadable Support Group Registration Certificates with unique identification number systems.”
