JULIUS ABURE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, NEC OF LABOUR PARTY OPENS UP GOVERNORSHIP AND PRESIDENTIAL TO ALL NIGERIANS, NEGLECTS PETER OBI & ALEX OTTI AHEAD OF2027 ELECTIONS

JULIUS ABURE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, NEC OF LABOUR PARTY OPENS UP GOVERNORSHIP AND PRESIDENTIAL TO ALL NIGERIANS, NEGLECTS PETER OBI & ALEX OTTI AHEAD OF2027 ELECTIONS

THE BEAUTIFUL ONES ARE NOT YET BORN IN NIGERIA: 

BEING A SPEECH BY JULIUS ABURE TO THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING HELD ON THE 9TH OF SEPTEMBER 2024 AT THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE PARTY, ABUJA.

PROTOCOL

I stand before you today with a heavy heart but with an unshakable resolve to defend the Party. I stand not just as your National Chairman, but as a guardian of the principles that hold our great party together, principles of unity, justice, and integrity.

We are at a critical moment in the life of our Party. Recent events have shown that those who should stand with us in the fight for a better restructured, organized and united Party, have chosen a different path. A path not of unity, but of division. I speak, of course, of the illegal gathering that took place in Abia State, an attempt to create a rift within our party, led by none other than His Excellency Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti. This meeting, held without the authority or consent of the National Executive Council, sought to install a so-called "new leadership." Let me be clear: this action was not just illegal, it was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for: A reward for loyalty with ingratitude, a reward for support with insubordination

The Labour Party has always been a beacon of hope for the oppressed, the marginalized, and the voiceless in Nigeria. Our mandate is to unite this country, not divide it. Yet, here we are, faced with a situation where individuals who have benefitted from the trust and support of this great party now work to destabilize it from within. This is why I say the beautiful ones are not yet born in Nigeria.

For those who have chosen to align themselves with this illegal action, I urge them to reconsider. The action of creating division is not just a political maneuver, it is a dangerous game. A game that, if allowed to continue, will dig a hole too deep for us to climb out of. Division within the Labour Party is division within Nigeria. And make no mistake, the consequences of such actions will not only affect the future of this party but the future of those who want to run election under the platform of the Party.

The Labour Party was built on the backs of honest Nigerians who believed in the possibility of a better tomorrow. We are a party of vision, a party of unity, and a party that represents the true interests of the people. Those who seek to tear us apart with backroom deals and illegal meetings must not be allowed to do so.

What message does it send to Nigerians when meetings meant to divide us are held in Abia State, a state that has become a symbol of resilience? At a time when this nation is struggling with ethnic divisions, such actions do not promote unity, they deepen the wounds of distrust. Nigerians are watching, and they will not be silent. We cannot afford to play politics with the future of our Party.

I call on all true members of the Labour Party to stand firm. This is not the time for betrayal; it is the time for solidarity. We must reject the actions of those who, for their own interests, seek to weaken us. I remain committed to leading this party in the right direction, one that aligns with the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians.

We have much work to do. The beautiful ones are not yet born in Nigeria, but they will be born through our collective effort. We must nurture this party, for it is the only the true vessel that can deliver the change Nigerians so desperately need.

I have watched with astonishment a viral video where the Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti stated that he was told by INEC That Edo and Ondo elections for Labour Party are in jeopardy due to my mismanagement of uploading polling unit agents. In my usual style, I would not have responded to the statement but for the records Following the controversies with the Edo Guber Candidate, the Access code for the uploading of polling unit agents was handed over to Barrister Olumide Akpata to enable him upload his polling unit agents. I was not and the Party was never involved in the uploading of polling unit agents for Edo Election. 

The access code for uploading polling unit agents have equally be handed over by INEC to the Ondo Guber candidate. 

In the same video, Dr Alex Otti also referred to the flouting of a Supreme Court judgment which according to him may affect our Party Candidates in 2027. I am not aware of such Supreme Court judgment. I challenge him to make available to the public the judgment.

However, if he is referring to the so-called consent judgment being paraded by Femi Falana SAN and the Nigeria Labour Congress, then I need to school him as follows:

The terms of settlement made judgment of Court in 2017 have been fully complied with by the Convention of 2019. Moreover, the Court of Appeal in 2022 in Appeal NO CA/ABJ/CV/702/2022 Between Comrade Salisu Mohammed Vs Chief Callistus Okafor and 13 Ors described the consent Judgment as an abuse of court processes.

The second agreement signed between the current leadership and NLC in 2021 is respected by the Party and we have almost 80 percent complied with the terms of settlement. It is the NLC who have not complied and fulfilled any part of the agreement.

On the basis of the foregoing, I am wondering where Dr Alex Otti is getting his facts. However, I must urge him to double-check his facts before going to the media and moderate his desperation to take my office as the National Chairman of our Party.

I must seize this opportunity to make some clarifications on a few issues. I and the Party have been accused of being responsible for Peter Obi’s failure in the 2023 general election. They have stated that the campaign, Election donations, and funds for the payment of agents were mismanaged by the Party, hence Peter Obi failed in the Election. 

Let me make it categorically clear that Campaign funds were disbursed, administered in the Southern States by the leadership of  Doyin Okupe, and Secondly under the control of Akin Oshuntokun while the funding of the Campaign for the 19 Northern States was handled by the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Party Datti Baba-Ahmed. The funding of the election was done by Peter Obi himself.

As per the donations, the Party was not involved in the donations. Donations to the campaign were channeled to the Following Accounts:

OBI/BABA-AHMED CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT

Zenith Bank – 1241950451

Sterling Bank – 0091657896

Heritage Bank – 1400234900

Globus Bank – 1000128194.

The signatories to these accounts were Aisha Yesufu and Pastor Itua Ighodalo. They were equally responsible for the payment of Polling Unit Agents.

Consequently, it is mischievous for any person to accuse me and the Party for mismanagement of these funds. At no time did the Party or its officials engage in any financial transactions as its relates to presidential campaign.

It will be safe for me at this point to conclude that I and my colleagues elected in the Convention of our Party held on the 27th day of March 2024 will defend the mandate given to us by Members of this Party. no amount of intimidation or harassment will make us surrender this leadership. 

Together, we will continue to build this party into a formidable force, one that truly represents the interests of all Nigerians. The beautiful ones are not yet born, but their birth is near, and it will be through the Labour Party that they will rise to lead this great nation.

Thank you, and God bless.

Signed:

Barr. Julius Abure

National Chairman

RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) OF LABOUR PARTY HELD ON MONDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2024 AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT UTAKO, ABUJA AT 10:00 AM.

The NEC Meeting was attended by members of the National Working Committee, National officers of the party, State Chairmen and Secretaries, Stakeholders of the party and other co-opted members of the National Executive Council provided by Article 13 (A) of the Party Constitution.

At the end of the meeting, the following resolutions were approved and adopted;

1. The NEC in session after reviewing the purported Stakeholders meeting held in Umuaiha Abia State condemned the conveners of the meetings and thereafter disassociate itself from the outcome of the so-called stakeholders meeting in Umuaiha Abia State where the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council, State Council, Local Government and Ward Executives of the party were purportedly++ dissolved and a so-called Caretaker Committee was set up.

The NEC in session note that the Governor of Abia State His Excellency Alex Otti who convened the meeting do not have the power within the Party’s Constitution as provided in Article 14 (4) (B) gives power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of National Chairman.

NEC in session further reiterate that Governor of Abia State do not even have the power to call his Ward Executive meeting without the approval and the consent of his Ward Chairman. The meeting contravenes the provisions of Section 82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides as follows:

82 (1) Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any Convention, Congress, Conference or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘’merger’’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this Act.

(2) The Commission may, with or without prior notice to the political party attend and observe any convention, congress, conference or meeting which is convened by a political party for the purpose of –

(a) electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies

2. Article 17 of the Labour Party Constitution provides how members of the National Working Committee, State Executive Committee and all other officials of the party can be removed, For the avoidance of doubt, Article 17 of our Party Constitution provides as follows;

I. The National Chairman of the Party may be suspended or removed from office on a vote of No Confidence passed by at last two-thirds majority at a National Convention convened solely for the consideration only of such motion.

II. Any other National officer(s) of the Party may be removed by 2/3 majority of votes cast by members at a Convention or National Executives Council.

III. The State Officer(s) may be removed by 2/3 majority of votes by the State Congress.

IV. The Local Government Officer(s) may be removed by 2/3 majority of votes cast by the LGA Congress.

V. The Ward Officer(s) may be removed by 2/3 of votes cast by the Ward Congress.

NEC in session condemn in strong terms the conveners of the meeting in Abia State who dwelt in illegality and therefore all the outcome of the meeting amount to nullity and the party is hereby disassociating itself from the conveners and the outcome of the meeting.

NEC in session note that there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Party. The Party has conducted its National Convention in line with the party Constitution, the Electoral Act and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 27th March, 2024 at Nnewi Anambra State which has been validated by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Consequently, NEC in session therefore calls on the Honourable Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu to stop aiding and abetting the Governor of Abia State Alex Otti to further cause damage to the party.

NEC in session also note that His Excellency Alex Otti have constantly quoted the INEC Chairman as saying that the tenure of the officers of the party has expired, which His Excellency Alex Otti said has necessitated his calling of the meeting and setting up a Caretaker Committee.

On the basis of the foregoing therefore, NEC in session hereby call on all teeming members, supporters and members of the general public to kindly disregard the so-called meeting and its outcome.

3. NEC in session hereby reimpose confidence in the leadership of Barr. Julius Abure led National Working Committee and urge all Party members to continue to respect the leadership of the party and obey its lawful directives.

4. NEC in session hereby delegates its powers to fill vacant positions in the NWC.

5. NEC in session also approved the conduct of State, Local Government and Ward Congress as may be schedule by the National Working Committee in line with party’s Constitution and other Extant laws.

6. NEC In session also approved the composition of the diciplinary committee as provided in Constitution.

7. NEC in session also approved the review of some disciplinary actions taken against some members in the spirit of reconciliation.

8. NEC in session also reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti respectively.

Consequently, all tickets of the party from Presidency to the House of assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.

9. NEC in session also grant the National Working Committee powers to take disciplinary action against any member that brings the party to disrepute.

 

Barrister Julius Abure ​​​​​Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim

National Chairman​​​​​​National Secretary