* Creates Directorate of Obidients
By Chesa Chesa
The Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday urged the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, to sheathe his sword and join hands with the party to work for the interest of the people.
The appeal by LP chairman, Julius Abure, followed the recent picketing of the party’s headquarters in Abuja by the NLC, which rejected the LP National Convention where Abure and other National Working Committee (NWC) were re-elected.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Abure enjoined the NLC to understand that the Nigerian people have a common enemy, which he said is the nation‘s ruling oligarchy.
According to him, the oligarchy has “held the country captive and ensured that our common patrimony is stolen. For us, we feel that all the bickering, fights and attacks on the leadership of the party is absolutely unnecessary.
“Fighting the Labour Party at this time is uncalled for and unwarranted especially at this time when the working people of Nigeria are suffering.”
He stressed that the welfare of Nigerian workers are at the moment being swept under the carpet as there is nobody who can speak for them.
Abure further announced the creation of a directorate of Obidient Affairs, which he explained, would coordinate the registration of all members of the Obidient family and integrate them fully into the structure of the party.
‘Obidients’ or ‘Obidient Movement’ is a term used to identify the mass social and political movement supporting Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
Abure appealed to the members of Obidient movement to remain and patient with the party “in order to be able to learn the rudiments of politics.”
He also alleged that Obidient Movement has been infiltrated by the opposition “and they are currently striving to carry some innocent Obidients along in derailing and unnecessarily criticising the party in order to bring it to disrepute and pull it down.”
He said a membership registration App has been developed to aid members of Obidient Movement to formally join the party.
Also, a peace and reconciliation committee is soon be inaugurated, with terms of reference to hear complaints of aggrieved members with intent to forge a more united LP.
