.Obi, Otti other stakeholders move to recreate the Labour Party
…Appoints Caretaker Committee, names Sen Nenadi Usman as Chairman.
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi and other critical stakeholders led by Governor Alex Otti of Abia state on Wednesday took a bold step toward recreating their political platform, the Labour Party.
In a move aimed at ending the crisis in the party since the controversial National Convention held in a hotel room in Nnewi, Anambra state by the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, the sole Labour Party Governor of Abia state and the National leader of the party Obi decided to take the bull by the horn by summoning an enlarged National Executive Committee, NEC of the party in Umuahia where a far reaching decision was made to give direction to the party.
After exhaustive deliberations on how to move the party forward, former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman was nominated to head an interim National Working Committee, NWC with a 90-day mandate to organize congresses at all levels of the party including a National Convention to elect substantive officers of the party.
Senator Usman will be assisted in the 29 member transition committee by former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Darlington Nwokocha who will act as Secretary.
The well-attended meeting also had the Presidential running Mate to Obi, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmad, Deputy Governor of Abia State and all elected Legislators under Labor at the National and state levels as well as gubernatorial candidates of the party in the 2023 polls.
In her acceptance speech, Senator Nenadi promised to work with her team for the unity and growth of the party.
The Terms of Reference of the Committee include, ensuring the conduct of Ward, Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention as soon as possible and in accordance with the Constitution of the Labour Party.
At the end of the NEC/Extended Stakeholders Meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, a roll call was conducted and the meeting was confirmed to be duly convened that a 29-member Caretaker Committee was constituted immediately to ensure that there is no vacuum in the Leadership of the Party.
The Caretaker Committee constituted has Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha named as Chairman and Secretary respectively, and other members representing various interest groups including NLC, TUC, Senate, House of Representatives, House of Assembly, and Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election.
The meeting equally commended Governor Alex Otti for his leadership in hosting the meeting and enjoined members of the party to support the Caretaker Committee to achieve its mandates.
The resolution named other members of the Committee to include 3 Senators, 4 members of House of Representatives, 3 members from States House of Assembly, 3 members from the Nigeria Labour Congress, 3 members from the Trade Union Congress, 3 members from the Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election among others.
In a welcome speech, the Governor of Abia state and Host, Dr. Alex Otti said that the meeting was convened to deal with the existential problems confronting the party and chart a way forward for the Party. He noted that the Tenure of the National working Committee of the Party headed by Bar. Julius Abure had elapsed since 10th of June 2024 and called on all stakeholders of the party to join forces together to resolve every internal problems of the party.
Governor Otti said that the overall interest of all Labour Party Stakeholders is the survival of the party and not necessarily the composition of the NWC as far as it is constitutionally composed.
Also Speaking, the National Leader of the party and Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi said that all they are doing is to follow the guidelines established by law to save the party from total collapse.
He noted that Labour Party being the 3rd largest party in Nigeria has the potential of being the brightest if things are put in the right perspective and urged members of the party to give the caretaker Committee the needed support to enable it succeed in its assignments.
Responding on behalf of members of the caretaker Committee, the Chairman, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman thanked the National Leader of the party Mr. Peter Obi and other stakeholders for finding them fit for the task and assured that they will justify the confidence reposed in them.
Highlights of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the solid confidence in the leadership of the National Leader of the party Mr. Peter Obi and the resolution that all members with legal case against the party should withdraw same for the overall interest of the party.
