2 months ago
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The leadership of the Labour Party loyal Julius Abure has accused members of its National Working Committee of being persecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission for their role in defending the mandates of former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti during the 2023 general elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, made this disclosure at a press conference held in Abuja.
Ifoh lamented that, rather than supporting the opposition party during its difficult time, the two leaders betrayed their trust by publicly aligning with the electoral commission.
“’Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo’” is a popular folk song by highlife artist Mike Ejeagha that went viral on social media this year.
Ifoh said, “The party is dismayed by the actions of our leaders, including our former presidential candidate and our only governor, who should be defending the party at this challenging moment. They should know that the LP is going through difficult times due to its role in supporting both leaders during the 2023 general election. Our leadership stood by Obi, canvassing through every corner for votes.
“For the sake of context, many Nigerians will remember how we accommodated some of these leaders when they were denied tickets in their previous parties. Many who are now demanding the removal of Julius Abure were previously begging for tickets and couldn’t even afford the nomination forms.
“The same LP leadership supported our governorship candidate in Abia through thick and thin, resisting all pressures and overcoming political and judicial challenges to ensure victory. Now, these leaders are aligning with INEC. It’s a betrayal.”
The controversy follows the party’s recent legal action against INEC to prevent recognition of the newly installed Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee.
Two days ago, the media reported INEC’s counter-affidavit arguing that the tenure of the Abure-led executives had expired, thus justifying its attempt to legitimise the 29-member committee inaugurated by Obi, Otti, and other party stakeholders.
Ifoh vowed on Wednesday that the ‘illegal arrangement’ would not stand, stressing that the committee members were handpicked in an undemocratic manner.
He also accused INEC of trying to destabilise the party by taking sides and undermining LP leadership.
“As you are aware, the party has sued INEC over its exclusion from the commission’s refresher training for party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC’s counter-affidavit argued that the Labour Party’s leadership, including Julius Abure, is invalid and does not recognise the party’s March 2024 National Convention.
“Everyone knows the role INEC played in the 2023 general election and how the electoral will of the people was undermined. It astonishes us that those who suffered from INEC’s ineptitude in 2023 are now aligning with the commission against the party leadership. For these leaders, there is no hesitation in leveraging INEC’s stance on illegality to seize control of the party.
“We advise these leaders that INEC should not be the model for their annexation agenda. The 2023 saga is still fresh. We condemned INEC then; now they are seen fraternising with it. Where was this loyalty when INEC failed to protect the people’s will in 2023? Let us not be deceived.
INEC has not changed, and in 2027, it will serve you the same dish,” he stated.
