The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) took a dramatic turn as two of its major factions closed ranks to challenge the authority of Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman.
At the centre of this new alliance is the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the head of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC), Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman.
Both leaders came together at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday, May 21, where sweeping decisions were made to reshape the party’s future.
The meeting, which was chaired by Nenadi-Usman, was attended by top Labour Party figures, including representatives of Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
Others present were NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, Women Commission Chairperson Salamatou Aliu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Comrade SOZ Ejiofor, Secretary Comrade Salisu Mohammed, and a representative of the TUC President.
It marked the first major meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) since the Supreme Court delivered judgment on the long-running leadership dispute.
The NEC approved a number of bold steps, including a significant expansion of the National Working Committee (NWC) and plans to hold an all-inclusive national convention within 90 days.
“NEC approved the expansion of the National Working Committee (NWC) structures, and the processes leading to the conduct of the All Inclusive And Expansive National Convention within 90 days in line with the consent judgment terms of settlement midwifed by INEC on 26th April 2022 and executed between the NLC and LP on June 27, 2022,” the communiqué read.
To strengthen leadership, three Deputy National Chairmen were appointed to support Senator Nenadi-Usman in managing the transition, alongside three Deputy National Secretaries to assist Senator Darlington Nwokocha. Vacancies within the NWC were also filled under the new caretaker arrangement.
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In preparation for the national convention, the NEC announced the formation of both standing and ad-hoc committees to oversee ward, local government, and state congresses, along with delegate elections.
Another key decision was to open a new national secretariat in Abuja and notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the move. The party also directed the immediate shutdown of its old office located at No. 2 IBM Haruna Street, Utako District.
The party plans to mobilise ten million new members within 30 days using a digital registration platform. This will include downloadable membership cards with unique ID numbers and revalidation of existing members.
Each member will pay an annual subscription of ₦1,200. Registered support groups will also receive unique certificates and ID systems.
“It will thereafter commence the immediate nationwide national mobilisation of ten million (10,000,000) members into the party data base within thirty (30) days; the deployment of online registration for membership with issuance of downloadable membership cards with unique identification number system and hard copies; the revalidation of old membership with issuance of downloadable membership cards with unique identification number system and hard copies, the ratification of membership with payment of annual membership subscription dues of ₦1,200 only; and the registration of Support Group and issuance of downloadable Support Group Registration Certificates with unique identification number systems,” the communiqué stated.
With the NLC and Nenadi-Usman-led caretaker committee now firmly aligned, the battle for the soul of the Labour Party appears far from over.
However, their latest moves signal a strategic effort to wrest control from Abure’s faction and chart a new course for the party’s leadership and membership structure.