The Labour Party finds itself embroiled in a fresh controversy as its Board of Trustees allegedly asserts control over the party’s administration, marking a new chapter in the ongoing crisis.
This development unfolds in the wake of the re-election of Julius Abure as National Chairman during the party’s national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State. Despite the convention also reinstating all members of the National Working Committee, vacancies for representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress remained unfilled.
However, a statement issued by Sylvester Ejiofor, purported Chairman of the party’s BoT, claims the Board’s assumption of authority due to the expiration of Abure’s tenure and the contentious circumstances surrounding his re-election.
According to Ejiofor’s statement, the BoT aims to prevent a leadership vacuum and uphold the LP’s constitution by overseeing its affairs. Plans for an inclusive national convention, aligned with a 2018 court judgment recognizing the NLC’s ownership of the LP, are also outlined.
Despite these assertions, attempts to reach key LP figures for comment were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, a party insider, speaking anonymously, dismissed Ejiofor’s statement as baseless, highlighting the absence of prior mention of the LP’s Board of Trustees and questioning Ejiofor’s legitimacy.
This latest twist underscores the internal strife within the Labour Party, with conflicting narratives adding fuel to the ongoing turmoil. As the saga unfolds, the party faces mounting pressure to resolve its internal disputes and regain focus ahead of crucial political engagements.