Labour Party Chairman Urges Reconciliation and Unity Amid Internal Crisis
In a bid to restore peace within the Labour Party, the National Chairman, Julius Abure, has issued a clarion call to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and other estranged stakeholders to put aside their differences and return to the party’s fold.
This appeal comes as the party is still reeling from internal wrangling that has left some of its top brass at loggerheads, with Abure at the center of the controversy. The standoff began when the reelection of Abure was verified by a national convention that some party members considered lacking in inclusivity and representation.
As a response, Obi, Otti, and other stakeholders established a 29-member caretaker committee, headed by Nnenadi Usman, a former finance minister, to oversee the organization of a new convention that would elect new executives at all levels of the party.
Despite these developments, Abure has remained resolute in his position, having secured a court victory that reaffirmed his status as the legitimate national chairman of the Labour Party. With this newfound confidence, he is now making a concerted effort to mend fences and promote unity within the party.
Abure emphasized that, “There is no more crisis in the party. The court has said there is only one leader in the LP. If there is a dispute in the country or anywhere, the only place you can go for reprieve is the court… INEC has since obeyed the court’s decision, and we are working closely with the commission.” He urged those who feel offended to return to the party, assuring that “All those who feel offended should come back to the party. We have forgiven all those who perceived they had done us one thing or the other. I am not angry. We have put it behind us, and LP is one big family.”
The Labour Party chairman also expressed concern over the current hardship faced by the Nigerian people, stating that it cannot be solely attributed to the leadership. He stressed the need for effective electoral reform to address the recurring challenges associated with electing good leaders in the country.
Abure emphasized, “Our country today is at a crossroads. It is a time for all of us to do a sober reflection. The problem is not just down to leadership. It also involves the followership… We need our mindset and philosophy for the Labour Party to drive a change. Electoral reform is a programme we must pursue to have leaders with dignity and integrity and drive developments in the country.”
