…Pass vote of confidence on Peter Obi
In what has been described as a watershed moment for the Labour Party (LP), the party on Wednesday approved the transition committee headed by Nenadi Usman to commence the process of rebuilding the party from the scratch, following the recent Supreme Court judgement.
The decision was taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party, at attended by Governor Alex Otti, of Abia state Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Datti Baba- Ahmed, the Vice Presidential candidate, Nenadi Usman and Joe Ajaero, NLC President was represented by Ibrahim Umar, former NLC President, amongst others
The LP NEC is made up of the elected members of the National Executive Committee, Statutory members such of President, Vice President, serving Governors or former Governors, members of the National and state assembly and other stakeholders of the party.
Victor Umeh, Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, while moving a motion at the end of the meeting, had called on the gathering comprising the statutory members of NEC, led by Alex Otti and Peter Obi, leading the stakeholders team, to approve that the transition committee be mandated to start the process of rebuilding the party from the Ward, Local government, State, Zonal and National levels
Emanuel Emeruwa, Speaker of the Abia State Assembly, seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the NEC members.
At the end of the NEC meeting LP stakeholders moved from the venue of the meeting to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to deposit a copy of the resolution, as well as the Certified True Copy CTC of the Supreme Court judgement at INEC office.
The party stakeholders said they were on rescue mission to save the party the shook the nation’s political terrain in 2023, backed by the Obidient group.
Read also: LP: Kingibe hails Supreme Court ruling, backs Nenadi Usman-led committee
Peter Obi, the party’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, in his remarks at the NEC meeting, expressed surprise at the action of the Julius Abure led executive committee for wanting to extend their tenure illegally.
Referencing claims that the party had organised a national convention that returned Abure as national chairman in March, 2024, Obi wondered how that would have been possible without the party first conducting the ward, local government, States and zonal congresses to produce delegates for the convention
“ I was surprised when I started reading Abure’s comments about the party, but because I usually operate from point of weakness. I kept watching until the court case.
“I am sure you know that I believe in the court process. I was the first Governor that was returned twice by the courts. I assure you that this is a party of tomorrow.
Obi also appealed to the members of the party to show love to those who are working against the success of the party, adding that “ We must love and do everything as a family.
“Let us go and start from the ward to the local government, the state, zonal and then national level to rebuild our party” he said.
He also charged the caretaker committee to build a party with the best and most competent people at all levels, adding that those who must be elected on its platform must be those tested and trusted not to betray the party in future.
“We want to correct every mistake of the past. Whoever wants to contest on the platform will be a member of the Labour Party, not strangers and passerby. We must have Senators who agree with us. It is better to fail doing the right
Obi, speaking on the Nigerian economy, said the nation is facing collapse, as poverty has increased in the land. “ Go to your village, people have become poorer. Things are very difficult, things are bad, let us ensure that we do the right thing starting with our party.
Obi tasked the committee to work hard to revive the party at all levels, adding that “ We have a lot of work to do. For anyone who has shown us hatred, let us show love to them”
Shortly after the meeting LP leaders led by Peter Obi, proceeded to the INEC headquarters to present a copy of the CTC to INEC.
Obi stated that the action became necessary to get a fresh INEC mandate to rebuild the party from the scratch at the ward, local government and state levels.
Governor Alex Otti in his remarks at the meeting, revealed how the party gave Julius Abure a soft landing to take over as the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees,
He described the Supreme Court judgement as a welcome relief for democracy.
He announced that the Certified True Copy CTC, of the Supreme Court judgement arrived shortly before the meeting, adding that it has enfolded the party to take far reaching decisions
He noted that the Abure led team has no choice but accept the judgement.
“Instead of threatening people with sanctions and suspension we have extended an olive branch. We offered Abure, to become our BoT Chairman.
“I even told him that If I were you, I wouldn’t want to lead people who do not want you to lead them
Otti who promised to support the rebuilding if the party, said “ the process of rebuilding the Labour Party starts now. We are going to initiate the, process from the ward, local government, state, zonal, until we reach the national level.
According to him, “ the Caretaker Committee members are not interested in taking up any leadership role in the party They only want to ensure that we have a strong labour party
He assured members that he will support the caretaker committee members to succeed, adding that “ The job of rebuilding the labour Party starts today”
Nenadi Usman, the Party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, in her remarks, said the consequences of the Supreme Court judgement is that LP can start its journey for a rebirth.
Describing the judgement as “ triumph for the rule of law and democracy, she expressed gratitude to party faithfuls who stood by the Caretaker Committee
Usman noted that the judgement will enhance the Stability, justice and team spirit for all the party members, even as she appealed to others to join the team to build a viral strong opposition.
“ We will see a resilient and people centric labour party and democracy in Nigeria.
She also disclosed that the party will review the recently conducted Anambra governorship election primaries
“ The Anambra primary election is being reviewed by those concerned.
Ibrahim Umar, representing Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, drew the party’s attention to previous experiences adding the party should not toe the path of failure again
“It is left for us to follow every dictate of the law.
