Abure re-elected Labour Party national chairman

Tamarauemi Ebimini

Julius Abure has been re-elected as the National Chairman of the Labour Party for a second term despite the opposition of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),

Abure was re-elected by a unanimous affirmation of delegates during the party’s convention.

Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, declared Abure the winner during the party’s national convention that took place on Wednesday in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Abure has been involved in a running battle with the NLC leadership led by Joe Ajaero.

The NLC had earlier called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to set up a legitimate convention for the party.

On March 20, 2024 workers who were not allowed access into the party office gathered around the premises chanting songs against and demanding the sack of the Labour Party Chairman following accusation of financial impropriety.

Last Thursday, former NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, had to intervene in the crisis, saying the LP is answerable to the congress.

According to Wabba, the party was formed as a platform for members of the union to exercise and defend their rights.

“First and foremost, the Labour Party was formed by the NLC, in the realisation of a clear objective in the Constitution of the NLC,” Wabba said.

“Under Article 3 and Item 1, the major objective of the NLC is to promote, defend and advance the economic, political, and social rights and well-being of Nigerian workers and pensioners,” he said.

“We own the Labour Party; it was formed under the leadership of Pascal Bafyau, as Party for Social Democracy. Under Adams, organs decided to change the name to the Labour Party, and the first chairman was S.O.Z Ejiofor who later handed over to Dan Anyanwu.”

He explained that the essence of forming the party is to make sure that workers, pensioners, farmers, can have a platform to exercise their rights, which is enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution.