A significant disagreement has erupted between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Labour Party’s (LP) leadership. The NLC, through a widely circulated letter, expressed a vote of no confidence in the LP’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, and demanded his immediate resignation. Additionally, the Labour Union declared its dissociation from the national convention set for March 27, 2024, labelling it as illegal due to its organization by the Comrade Julius Abure-led National Working Committee.
In response, the LP’s leadership urged the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajero, to resign from his position if he seeks to contest for the party chairmanship, implying his apparent eagerness to replace Julius Abure. This statement was made by the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, in Abuja on Saturday.
Given the anticipated conflict, Ifoh emphasized that the NLC’s letter was a familiar surprise to party leaders. He recalled the history of clashes between the NLC and the LP, particularly in 2014, highlighting the recent efforts by Barrister Julius Abure to reconcile conflicting parties within the labour movement. However, he criticized the actions of the current NLC president, Joe Ajero, for undoing these past achievements, branding the NLC and its political commission as contradictory and paradoxical.
The LP’s leadership acknowledged the NLC’s repeated calls for a national convention, which they ultimately agreed to hold. They pointed out that the decision to convene the convention was made by Article 14:4b of the party’s constitution, which authorizes the National Secretary to issue notices for such meetings in consultation with the National Chairman. Therefore, they found it ironic that the NLC, which had pushed for the convention, now questioned its necessity.
Furthermore, the LP emphasized the party’s autonomy from the NLC, citing constitutional provisions that guarantee political parties’ independence in their affairs. They criticized the NLC’s interference in party matters, alleging that it had influenced decisions regarding candidate selection in elections.
The LP also addressed allegations raised by the NLC, particularly regarding financial transparency and internal audits. They refuted claims of financial impropriety and invited external scrutiny of their accounts to dispel doubts. Additionally, they criticized the NLC’s involvement in what they perceived as attempts to tarnish the LP’s reputation through baseless accusations.
In conclusion, the LP urged the NLC to focus on its primary mandate of advocating for workers’ rights and welfare. They commended other labour organizations, such as the Trade Union Congress (TUC), for their constructive engagement and refusal to endorse the NLC’s contentious press release. Finally, they called for cooperation and mutual respect between the NLC and the LP for the betterment of the labour movement in Nigeria.
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