More trouble has risen in the Nigeria Labour Party (LP) following the regrouping of its 2014 executive of the party that now wants all stakeholders to implement consent judgement entered into in 2018.
The consent judgement, it was gathered, if implemented, will rendered the leadership of Julius Abure illegal.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the 2014 acting National Chairman of the LP, Callistus Uju Okafor and acting National Secretary, Mamman Bukar told journalists that the national executive of labour Party in 2014 has the legal right for conducting the convention that could erase all irregularities in the party.
The legal adviser who was with the Salam was at the event. He confirmed that the party is yet to comply with the consent judgement
It was gathered that Okafor was elected as deputy chairman of LP in 2014 and ascended as the acting national chairman in 2017 when Abdulsalam Abdukadir (now late) was removed as the national chairman over alleged financial embezzlement.
But Okafor, who brought out court documents, said Julius Abure who was at the national secretariat made himself the chairman.
Reading the text of the press conference, Okarfor said they are at a turning point and a pivotal resolution of the long drawn legal battle for the soul of their party.
“It is important we make this preamble in order to disabuse the minds of people who may see our struggle as a means to distabilise our great party.
“Prior to the National Convention, at a National Working Committee meeting in Abuja, the Nigeria Labour Congress requested for 10 million membership cards from the leadership of the Labour Party for her members across the country.
“The National Chairman, Barr. Dan Nwayanwu refused, he asked the NLC and her members to join the party at their various wards. This issue lingered until the 2014 convention of the party in Akure, Ondo state.
“The convention was held on the 11th October, 2014, it was presided over by Barr. Dan Nwayanwu. The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Comrade Abdulwaheed Umar boycotted the convention. We attached the list of 2014 National Working Committee,” Okafor said.
According to him, on the 7th December, 2015 at Fen Hotel Lokoja, Kogi state, at a National Working Committee meeting, three items were discussed which are: Ali Abacha’s 3rd term in office, Kayode Ajulo’s abuse of office, Clement Ojukwu defrauding three members of the National Working Committee: Callistus U. Okafor, Sunday Okeke and Ebere Ifendu
“Ali Abacha voluntarily left the National Working Committee meeting and subsequently left the party. Kayode Ajulo resigned as National Secretary and also left the party.
“A committee was constituted immediately to look into Clement Ojukwu’s fraudulent activities. It was chaired by Akingbade Oyelekan.
“After appearing before the disciplinary committee, Clement Ojukwu was found guilty of defrauding the three members of the National Working Committee.
“On the 8th December, 2015, National Executive Council in session ratified Ali Abacha’s decision to leave the party and Kayode Ajulo’s resignation. The Deputy National Secretary Barr Julius Abure was elevated to acting National Secretary pending when a substantive National secretary will be elected.
“The National Executive Council in session also ratified the disciplinary committee’s indefinite suspension slammed on Clement Ojukwu for bringing the name of the party into disrepute. Attached Article 20. 1 of the Labour Party Constitution 2009.”
“On 3rd October, 2017 at a Special Convention held at Stonehdge Hotel Abuja, the National Chairman, Alhaji. A. A. Salam was constitutionally removed from office for embezzlement of Party funds.
“The Convention was presided over by Chief Callistus U. Okafor as Deputy National Chairman, and Barr. Julius Abure as acting National Secretary.
“However, Abure was found guilty of diversion of party funds (Governorship Nomination paid by Amos Arolegbe in Edo state) into his personal account by a forensic audit report.
“Abure quickly joined A. A. Salam. Salam immediately reached out to the NLC for help. The NLC scheduled several peace meetings to no avail.
“Furthermore, an agreement was reached to settle the legal dispute out of court. The agreement between all the parties gave birth to the consent judgement,” Okarfor said.
He said the consent judgement terms of settlement was that the Labour party, though not a trade union, was registered by Nigeria Labour Congress for the betterment of Nigeria workers.
“That parties agree to convene an expansive and inclusive National Convention of the party as stipulated by the party’s constitution.
“The claimants hereby forfeit all its claims. That the defendants are hereby discharged from all claims or further claims and liabilities to the claimants in connection with or arising thereto.
“That this term of settlement shall be irrevocably binding on the claimant and defendants therein,” Okarfor said.
He said in every legal battle, there must be beneficiaries adding that on the 20th March, 2018, about seven months to the expiration of the tenure of members of 2014 National Working Committee, Justice G.O. Kolawole delivered the consent judgement.
“Item 2 states that the parties (NLC, Okafor and Salam groups) have agreed to conduct an all-inclusive and expansive convention of the party as stipulated by the party’s constitution.
“However, this judgment has not been obeyed. Alhaji A. A. Salam vehemently refused to obey the consent judgment, rather in October 2018 he went to Minna, Niger State and extended his tenure for one year.
“He subsequently went to Akwanga in Nasarawa state and conducted an illegal convention in 2019. These actions are in disobedience of item 2 and 5 of the Consent Judgment.
“In the light of the above, after the demise of Alhaji A. A. Salam in November, 2020, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Comrade Ayuba Waba continued to broker peace.
“This produced the Independent National Electoral Commission mediated settlement between Nigeria Labour Congress and Abure on the 27th of June 2022 which Abure did not respect, rather he extended his tenure in an illegal National Executive meeting for one year.
“After the expiration of the illegal extension, he subsequently extended for another year which expired on the 27th of June, 2024.
“Sequel to the above development, members of the 2014 National Working Committee who are beneficiaries of the consent judgement have agreed to midwife an all-inclusive and expansive convention in compliance with the Consent Judgment delivered by Hon Justice G.O. Kolawole, and further agree, to within six months to embark on a purposeful reconciliation of all aggrieved members and groups to achieve a united, focused labour party that will redefine political leadership in Nigeria’s quest for a better nation,” the group said, opening space for further crisis in the party.
