The crisis in the Labour Party, LP, has taken a new dimension as former Deputy National Chairman, Callistus Okafor, has laid claim to the National Chairmanship position.
In a news conference in Abuja, on Friday July 26, Okafor said his decision to “take over” the party was supported by a 2018 consent judgment of the federal high court which according to him was ignored.
He pointed out that at the time, there was a leadership tussle between the late national chairman of the party, Abdulkadir Salam and another faction led by Salisu Mohammed, who also declared himself as national caretaker chair of the party.
The judge handling the dispute, Gabriel Kolawole, in the consent verdict, held that the separate national conventions held by both parties to the dispute were “inclusive”.
Okafor contended that because the court ruling was not obeyed, Julius Abure inherited and built on this faulty structure to become the party’s national chairman.
According to him, as things stand today, he as a member of the then National Working Committee as well as others along with him are beneficiaries of the 2018 judgment.
He stated; “The owner of the house has taken the house. When I mean owner, I am not contesting Labour Party leadership with NLC, no.”
“I’m talking about the process. The midwife of this process (fresh convention).
“The 2014 convention is the right avenue to midwife it. For that reason, Callistus Okafor is now the acting chairman of the Labour Party.
“Sequel to the above development, members of the 2014 National Working Committee who are beneficiaries of the consent judgment have agreed to midwife an all-inclusive and expansive convention in compliance with the Consent Judgment delivered by Hon Justice G.O. Kolawole, and further agreed to within six months embark on a purposeful reconciliation of all aggrieved members and groups to achieve a united, focused Labour Party that will redefine political leadership in Nigeria’s quest for a better nation.”
He added that his intervention is “a pivotal resolution of the long-drawn legal battle for the soul of the Labour Party.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, when contacted, dismissed Okafor’s claims.
“We don’t need to look any further than those who have sworn to destroy our party in their calculations for 2027.
“Julius Abure is the legitimate National Chairman of our great party. There are several Court judgements that support this position. We will not reduce ourselves to relying on those who have been hired to distract us.” He added.
