By Chuks Moses, Awka
The Julius Abure led Labour Party (LP) has returned him and about 7 others to the Nat Working Committee.
14 others NWC members were dropped – either for non-performance or having served out the allowable number of years as per the party’s constitution.
One such officer, Chief Innocent Sunday Okeke, the immediate past Assistant National Chairman (South East) stepped down, having served out the allowable two terms.
Also the former National Organizing Secretary, Chief Clement Ojukwu, is now the Deputy National Chairman.
The party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, its two senators: Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye all stayed away from the convention.
The Abia state governor Alex Otti sent his deputy.
No one was forthcoming over why the key party members shunned the convention.
Meanwhile, the Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party (LP) has described the ongoing national convention of the party today at the Grand Seasons Hotels, Nnewi, Anambra State as a sham.
According to the Anambra State faction of the party, Peter Okoye, “this is not a Convention, okay? We are on top of the matter. It’s pure illegal.
“There was no Ward Congress, no Local Government Congresses, no State Congress, and now who and who elected the delegates that is electing the NWC members?
“The NLC is not there, TUC is not there, the owners of the party and members of the NEC and BOT members were not there too”, the state factional chairman noted.
According to Okoye, “The matter is coming up on 4th of April 2024 for hearing.”
At the convention venue, no fewer than five hoodlums, said to be distributing inciting leaflets critical of the party leadership, were arrested and whisked away by the police.
A party source said the intention of the boys and their sponsors was to destabilise the convention.
LP has been experiencing crisis following party leadership tussle over who becomes the national chairman of the party.
