LP’s BoT Takes Over Party, Insists Abure’s Tenure Has Expired

The crisis rocking the Labour Party took a new twist on Thursday as the Board of Trustees (BoT) has taken charge of the party’s affairs.

According to a statement on Wednesday, Chairman of LP’s BoT, S.O.Z. Ejiofor said the decision was taken to prevent a leadership vacuum in the party.

This comes shortly after the LP held its national convention in Anambra State that saw Julius Abure re-elected as chairman of the party.

“Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in line with the Labour Party Constitution, has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party,” the statement reads.

“This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the Labour Party. Furthermore, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in consultation with major stakeholders in the Party, will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party.”

He cited a March 20, 2018, Federal High Court judgment where Justice Gabriel Kolawole recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owner of the Labour Party and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party be held.

‘Charade’

The LP and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) have been at loggerheads recently with the latter accusing the party’s leadership of financial rascality and contempt for the congress leadership.

According to the NLC, Abure was “unilaterally trying to hold a national convention in contravention of the constitution of the party”.