ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has unequivocally refused to recognize Julius Abure’s re-election as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
This decision comes in the wake of the party’s national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, where Abure and all members of the National Working Committee were returned to office.
Notably, the convention left vacancies for representatives from the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), signaling a potential disconnect with these crucial labour organizations.
Benson Upah, the NLC spokesman, denounced the convention’s outcomes as illegitimate, calling the entire event “a charade.”
Upah’s strong language underscored the labour union’s dissatisfaction with the proceedings, asserting, “It’s an illegality, a nullity. Nothing can legitimise such brazen impunity.”
The congress’s steadfast stance suggests a significant fracture within the party’s ranks, with implications for its cohesion and future.
The national convention, which has been a focal point of contention in recent weeks, also experienced disturbances with the arrest of at least five individuals.
These persons were reportedly distributing leaflets that criticised the party’s leadership, leading to their detention and questioning by the police.
This incident further highlights the tensions surrounding the convention and the broader disagreements within the party.
In addition to leadership disputes, the convention made notable decisions regarding the party’s future electoral strategies. It endorsed Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, and Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, to run again in 2027.
The party’s communiqué praised Obi’s leadership and Otti’s governance, signaling confidence in their continued roles within the party and its electoral prospects.
Moreover, the Labour Party’s leadership took the opportunity to address national concerns, calling on President Bola Tinubu to tackle the escalating insecurity in various parts of the country, including Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue states.
The party advocated for a comprehensive restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture, emphasising the need for decentralization to allow for regional, state, local, and community policing.
As the Labour Party navigates these internal disputes and external pressures, the NLC’s refusal to recognize Julius Abure’s leadership marks a critical juncture.
