Babatunji Wusu –
On Wednesday, September 3, the Labour Party took a decisive step to address its ongoing leadership crisis by establishing a 29-member Caretaker Committee tasked with revitalizing the party. This development emerged from an extended stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State.
Senator Esther Nenadi Usman from Kaduna South has been appointed Chair of the Caretaker Committee, while Darlington Nwokocha, the immediate past Senate Deputy Minority Leader from Abia Central, will serve as Secretary. The committee, which has a three-month mandate, includes representatives from the Labour Party’s Senate caucus, House of Representatives caucus, State House of Assemblies, former governorship candidates, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and various geopolitical zones.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Edward Pwajok, SAN, the Labour Party’s 2023 deputy governorship candidate in Plateau State, read a five-point communique. He instructed the committee to ensure that ward, local government, and state congresses, as well as a national convention, are conducted promptly in accordance with the party’s constitution. Pwajok praised the National Leader of the party, Peter Obi; Governor Alex Otti of Abia State; and other stakeholders for organizing the crucial meeting aimed at the party’s survival and future.
Addressing the attendees, Obi emphasized that the meeting was convened to navigate the party out of its current leadership impasse, not to sanction or remove individuals. He stressed the importance of putting the party’s interests above personal grievances and warned the Caretaker Committee to adhere strictly to the rules without overstepping their mandate. Obi expressed optimism about the party’s future, suggesting that resolving the leadership issues could lead to significant victories in the upcoming elections.
Governor Otti underscored the urgency of the meeting, stating that as elders, they could not passively watch the party deteriorate. He highlighted the need to adhere to the party’s constitution to safeguard the future of its candidates.
Senator Usman, acknowledging the significant responsibility before the committee, pledged to fulfill the mandate within the given timeframe. She expressed confidence that the Labour Party would recover and strengthen its position. Usman criticized the previous convention held in Nnewi and reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the issues within the party.
The meeting was attended by notable figures, including 2023 vice-presidential candidate Datti Ahmed, Lagos State governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Imo State governorship candidate Senator Athan Achonu, Senators Kelvin Chukwu, Victor Lar, and Imasuen Neda, as well as Abia Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and several Labour Party representatives from various states.
However, LP National Chairman Julius Abure was notably absent. The meeting concluded with a vote of confidence in Peter Obi as the party’s national leader and a call for all members with pending litigations against the party to withdraw them and pursue reconciliation.
