Essential Ndubuisi
The Labour Party’s 36 state chairmen have claimed that the ongoing crisis within the party’s leadership is an attempt to prevent its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from emerging victorious at the presidential election tribunal. The chairmen stated that the crisis is not about the party’s embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure, but rather an attempt to create setbacks for Obi.
The crisis within the party took a new turn after a faction of the party led by the National Vice-Chairman of the party (South), Lamidi Apapa, claimed to have been inaugurated as the Acting National Chairman of the party. Speaking on behalf of all the 36 states chairmen in the country, Nasarawa State Chairman of the Labour Party, Alexander Ombugu, said in spite of the challenges that Abure was facing, they would continue to remain loyal and committed to his leadership.
Ombugu noted that other political parties are sponsoring the crisis in the Labour Party to spoil the chances of their candidate, Peter Obi, at the ongoing presidential election tribunal. He said the party’s opponents are aware that Obi won the February 25 presidential election with a landslide, but the irregularities which occurred during the electioneering process, including the non-transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission results viewing portal, led to another candidate being announced as the winner of the election.
Ombugu called on party supporters across the country to remain committed to the growth of the party and not be deterred by the activities of those who are sponsored to cause setbacks. He also urged the judiciary to remain upright in justice delivery, despite the challenges, and called on the security agencies not to allow themselves to be used by greedy and desperate politicians who do not mean well for the nation.
The Labour Party has been facing internal crises in recent times, and it remains to be seen how the leadership tussle will be resolved.
