Politics

LP, NLC fight dirty over scheduled national convention

Published

2 months ago

March 16, 2024

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The Labour Party (LP) has asked Joe Ajaero to resign as president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) if he is so desperate to succeed Julius Abure as chairman of the party.

‘ABURE RUNNING LP LIKE SOLE ADMINISTRATOR’

On Friday, in a statement titled: “A misadventure in political mischief, mismanagement and misdemeanor gone too far” the NLC alleged that Abure is running the affairs of the LP as a sole administrator.

The NLC also passed a vote of no confidence on Abure and called for his resignation as LP chairman.

“The leadership of the NLC passes a vote of no confidence on Mr. Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party,” the NLC said.

“We demand his resignation immediately and we demand the constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organise a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention of the Labour Party.”

‘AJAERO SHOULD RESIGN FROM NLC IF HE’S DESPERATE TO SUCCEED ABURE’

In a statement issued on Saturday by Obiora Ifoh, national publicity secretary of the party, the LP asked the NLC president to resign and throw his hat in the ring when it is time for the national convention of the party, if he is desperate to succeed Abure.

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The LP also said the comments by NLC did not come as a surprise.

“The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to a Press Release titled ‘A misadventure in political mischief, mismanagement and misdemeanor gone too far’ written by the NLC’s Political Commission as an agent of the Nigeria Labour Congress,” the statement reads.

“The NLC letter did not come to us as a surprise or a shock, it was long expected before now, having known that the NLC was going to engage itself on this misadventure.

“At this point, the leadership of the party wants to ask the NLC, what exactly do they want? If Joe Ajaero is interested in the leadership of the party, he is therefore advised to resign as the President of the NLC and join in the contest for the National Chairmanship of the party that is scheduled for the convention on the 27th of March, 2024.

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“We must note that undue interference by the Nigeria Labour Congress on the affairs of the party has become worrisome and it has become needful to emphasise here the distinction that the Labour Party has a life of its own different from that of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“In fact, the 1999 Constitution states clearly that once a political party is registered, it has a life of its own whereby it can run its own affairs without any interference.

“It will shock Nigerians to know that members and officials of the NLC are not even card carrying members of the Labour Party. All over the country, NLC members have been found to be supporting either the APC or the PDP.”

‘IT MAKES NO SENSE FOR US TO FIGHT’

The LP asked Ajaero to emulate past leaders of the NLC and also learn from other democracies across the world on how labour movements are giving their support to labour parties.

“We equally want to advise Joe Ajero to emulate leadership of Ayuba Waba, Olaleye Quadri and Osifo in working closely with the party,” the statement added.

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“We therefore urge the NLC to go and learn from other developing democracies across the world, how the Labour movements have given support to Labour Parties across the world in Australia, Brazil amongst others who have captured power in their countries.

“There is need for us to come together and collectively fight the ruling class that has held the nation down for so long and has impoverished the nation. It makes no sense for us to be fighting ourselves.

“We have consulted with our stakeholders and the consultation is ongoing and we will continue to consult until the March 27, when the new leadership of the party will emerge.

“We have advised the NLC before now that party politics is played at the Ward level and not at the National level.

“If NLC is interested in taking the leadership of the party, they should go and engage in the mass mobilisation of its members to join the party at the grassroot.”

Related Topics:Joe Ajaero Julius Abure Labour Party LP NLC

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Politics

Peter Obi meets Atiku, Lamido, Saraki in Abuja

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2024

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election Peter Obi has met with ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido in separate visits.

Atiku posted photos of him and Obi during their Monday meeting on his X handle.

“It was my honour and privilege to host @PeterObi today,” Atiku wrote.

In a statement following the meetings, the LP presidential campaign spokesman Tanko Yunusa said Obi visited them to discuss the “state of the nation”.

“Worried about the state of the nation and the increasing uncertainty in the living conditions of the poor and underprivileged, Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top Nigerians, among whom are former vice president, and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, the former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido,” the statement read.

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“At the centre of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location. In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted.

“Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the northern parts of the country.”

Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 presidential election.

But Obi, a former Anambra governor, left the PDP ahead of the 2023 poll and teamed up with the Labour Party (LP).

Atiku flew the PDP’s flag in the poll, losing out to President Bola Tinubu.

Politics

Fubara to probe Wike’s administration

Published

22 hours ago

May 13, 2024

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Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says a judicial panel of inquiry will be set up to investigate the management of the state’s resources and affairs under past administrations.

Fubara spoke on Monday while swearing in Dagogo Iboroma, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the Rivers’ attorney-general and commissioner for justice, at the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

“Let me also say this: you have a big task. We will be setting up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the affairs of governance. So, brace up; I am not going back on it,” the governor said.

Earlier on Monday, the Rivers house of assembly led by Victor Jumbo, the factional speaker, screened and cleared Iboroma as a commissioner nominee.

Iboroma’s appointment follows the resignation of Zacchaeus Adangor in April.

“Please defend us. We know that you are going to defend us because your record is clean. You are a gentleman who is peaceful. You are not a noise-maker. People like you are endowed, and they have the fear of God,” Fubara told Iboroma.

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Fubara succeeded Nyesom Wike, who is the current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), as governor in May 2023.

He was the accountant-general under Wike.

In May 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Fubara and 58 others wanted over an alleged N435 billion fraud.

‘THIS IS A NEW ERA’

Fubara said the swearing-in of Iboroma marked the beginning of a new era for his government, which he noted has moved on from the political crisis in the state.

“I am happy that this is happening today to mark the beginning of a new era in our administration. When I said that I had a reason for being patient, it is because I know that we are all from one family and if we have a disagreement, no matter how bad it is, it should be resolved amicably,” Fubara said.

“But it has become very clear that this disagreement, there is no way to resolve it amicably. And for a lot of reasons, there is visible evidence that there is sabotage and deliberate attempt to sabotage this administration.

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“For that reason, we have to move forward. And moving forward, if it means taking decisions that are going to hurt anybody. We are not going back on the protection of the interest of Rivers people.”

THE CRISIS

The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised since 2023 following the rift between Fubara and Wike.

In December, 27 members of the assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Rivers assembly has 32 seats. One lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, died in September 2023.

In October 2023, Ehie Edison was elected speaker of the factional assembly, after his removal as house leader by members led by Martin Amaewhule — amid the plot to impeach Fubara.

Edison later resigned as a lawmaker to become chief of staff to Fubara.

The lawmakers in the Amaewhule-led faction are loyal to Wike.

The political crisis took a fresh twist last Wednesday after Jumbo, a lawmaker representing the Bonny state constituency, was elected factional speaker.

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Last Friday, a state high court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction restraining Amaewhule from acting as a speaker of the Rivers assembly.

Charles Wali, the presiding judge, also restrained 25 other assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The motion ex parte was filed by Jumbo and two assembly members — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy — loyal to Fubara.

Politics

Obtaining injunction at 2am can’t sack lawmakers | Backing you was a mistake, Wike tells Fubara

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2024

admin

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says no one has the power to sack elected members of the Rivers house of assembly.

Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, have been locked in a battle for the political structure of Rivers since 2023.

The rift between both men has led to a polarisation of the Rivers house of assembly — with each camp electing a speaker loyal to either man.

In December, 25 Rivers lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Their seats were subsequently declared vacant by Edison Ehie, who was then speaker of the camp loyal to Fubara.

THE INJUNCTION

On May 6, Fubara told state legislators loyal to Wike that they owe their existence to him.

“Those group of men who claim they are our assembly members are not assembly members — they are not existing,” Fubara said.

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On May 10, a Rivers high court granted an interim injunction restraining Martin Amaewhule, a lawmaker loyal to Wike, from parading himself as speaker of the state assembly.

Charles Wali, the presiding judge, also restrained 25 other assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The motion ex parte was filed by Victor Jumbo, the factional speaker and two assembly members — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy. All three legislators are loyal to Fubara.

‘MY JOB IS TO MAKE THEM ANGRY’

Speaking on Saturday in Ogu-Bolo LGA of Rivers at an event to honour George Sekibo, a former senator who has spent 36 years in public service, Wike aimed more thinly veiled barbs Fubara’s way.

The former governor’s remarks also came after Fubara gazetted an executive order moving the sitting of the state house of assembly to the government house.

Addressing Anorld Davids, lawmaker representing Ogu-Bolo constituency in the assembly, Wike said: “Let me say this clearly, Arnold, don’t be frightened that anybody would remove you as an assembly member.”

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“Nobody will remove you as an assembly member.

“Most of you don’t understand. This is our work. What l am doing is to make them fear, to make them angry.

“I have no other job than to make them angry everyday, to make them make mistakes everyday. And they will be in trouble everyday. So, don’t worry about yourselves.

“If they like, they can go to anybody by 2am, 4am to get an injunction. The law will take its course. We are not afraid. We followed due process. We must follow due process.

“We are not going to harm anybody. We are not going to give money to anybody to buy arms and kill anybody. We won’t do that.”

‘HANDPICKING YOU WAS A MISTAKE’

Again, Wike apologised for backing Fubara to succeed him as governor.

“I have made a mistake. I own up. And I ask God to forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But, we will correct it at the appropriate time,” he said.

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“I am a human being. I am bound to make a mistake. My judgment can be wrong. So, forgive me for making a wrong judgment. That is life.”