Last week, after the Supreme court ruled that the courts cannot determine political party leadership, the Nigeria Labour Congress said it will take over Labour Party national Secretariate in Abuja and state offices, this Monday.
The hostility to the media was unrestrained. The secretary general of Labour party, Farouk Umar Ibrahim was a step short of physical assault.
He queried why Signature TV should be interested in the planned NLC take over of the party Secretariat and ordered this reporter out of the party Secretariat.
In contrast to the reaction of Farouk Ibrahim, the outside of the labour party headquarters was normal. Three policemen at the gate, a police vehicle and a federal road safety vehicle, were the only signs of increased security.
If there was any anticipation of an invasion by labour activists, it did not show except that the security men would not allow any video coverage of the area. They did this in a firm but respectful manner.
When Signature TV contacted the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh,he said that he was not aware of the NLC threat to take over the party offices.
The Supreme court had ruled that political party leadership is the internal affairs of the political parties which the courts cannot determine.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, had last Thursday issued a statement, that as a major stakeholder in the party, it’s interests must be taken account of as three people still lay claim to the Chairmanship of the party even after the supreme court ruling.
Julius Abure and his supporters say the supreme court ruling amounts to an endorsement of the nnewi convention which extended his leadership.
Lamide Apapa, who many say, is a fly in the ointment, also cites the Supreme Court verdict as a certification of his claim to the Chairmanship of the labour party.
Meanwhile, the Abia state governor, the only governor from the labour party, led a delegation to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC seeking recognition of the Senator Nenadi Usman executive as the authentic leaders of the party. All claimants draw their positions from the supreme court ruling.
For now, the party Secretariat in Abuja is not showing any signs of being torn by these numerous claims.