The struggle for leadership in the Labour Party intensified on Saturday when the opposition party's National Working Committee accused Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, of urgently trying to replace Julius Abure, the party's National Chairman.
The claim was a reaction to a public letter issued on Friday by the political wing of the NLC, the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission.
The letter, signed jointly by Titus Amba and Chris Uyot, the Chairman and Secretary of the commission, alleged that Abure and the NWC were planning a 'secret' national convention in Umuahia, Abia State capital on March 27 to re-elect Abure as the sole leader of the Labour Party.
The letter also accused Abure of attempting to extend his term in office by two years without consulting stakeholders, including the NLC. It was reported that Peter Obi, the party's presidential candidate, intervened and prevented this action.
The political arm of the NLC referred to the planned convention as unlawful and demanded the immediate resignation of Abure as the party chairman. They also called for the establishment of a temporary transition committee to arrange a lawful and inclusive national convention for the party.
However, the leadership of the Labour Party disagreed with this demand and claimed that it was being driven by Ajaero's desire to become the next national chairman of the party.
In a statement titled 'Resign as NLC President to Contest LP Chairmanship, Labour Party advises Joe Ajero,' the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, stated that the party will not follow orders from unionists who are not members of their party.
Ifoh also confirmed that the planned national convention in Umuahia on March 27 will proceed as scheduled.
He mentioned, "The Labour Party leadership has been made aware of a press release titled 'A misadventure in political mischief, mismanagement and misdemeanour gone too far' issued by the NLC's Political Commission as a representative of the Nigeria Labour Congress. This letter from the NLC did not come as a surprise, as it was expected due to the organization's previously known intentions.
"It's worth remembering that in 2014, the NLC engaged in a campaign of defamation and hostility against the Labour Party and its leadership. It was only recently, with the diplomatic approach adopted by Julius Abure, that he managed to reconcile with the then President of the NLC, Ayuba Waba, and the then President of the Trade Union Congress, Olaleye Quadri, achieving cooperation between NLC, TUC, and Labour Party.
"Unfortunately, the inappropriate behavior of the current NLC president, Joe Ajero, has undone the previous progress. It's important to note that the NLC and its political commission have become inconsistent and contradictory. The Nigeria Labour Congress has sent multiple letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission and to the party regarding the necessity of holding a national convention.
Continuing, the spokesperson for the LP said that the party leadership eventually gave in to the demand for the national convention, which was fully supported by Article 14:4b of the party Constitution.
Ifoh also stated that if the NLC president and his supporters are not satisfied with the provision, Ajaero should be advised to step down from his position and officially join the race to take power from Abure.
However, he encouraged the union members to think about becoming party members at the grassroots level as real politicking starts from there.
“At this point, the party's leadership wants to ask the NLC, what do they really want? If Joe Ajero is interested in leading the party, he is advised to step down as the President of the NLC and participate in the contest for the National Chairmanship of the party scheduled for the convention on March 27, 2024.
“We have previously advised the NLC that party politics happens at the ward level, not at the national level. If the NLC wants to take over the party leadership, it should mobilize its members to join the party at the grassroots. It is surprising that members and officials of the NLC are not even card-carrying members of the Labour Party. Throughout the country, NLC members support either the APC or the PDP.
“We must emphasize that the undue interference by the Nigeria Labour Congress in the party's affairs is troubling, and it is necessary to point out that the Labour Party has its own identity separate from that of the Nigeria Labour Congress. We want to advise the NLC to focus only on its statutory responsibilities of defending the workers and their rights.
“In conclusion, we confirm that the Labour Party will proceed with our party programs and our convention will take place. We have consulted with our stakeholders, and the consultation is ongoing and will continue until March 27 when the new party leadership will emerge,” he said.
