• Obi, Datti-Ahmed, Otti attend Usman-led caretaker committee NEC meeting
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
A high-powered delegation of the chieftains of the Labour Party (LP) led by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, visited the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, yesterday, to discuss key developments within the party.
A report on the commission’s official X handle, revealed that Governor Otti, during the visit formally presented a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership crisis.
The Abia governor noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the LP’s current structure.
According to the report, the delegation was received by INEC’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, and other National Commissioners, revealing that; “both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values.”
On his part, Mr. Olumekun had reaffirmed the commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party has insisted that the elections that brought in Abure as national chairman did not follow due process.
It disclosed this at a stakeholders interactive town hall meeting in Abuja which had in attendance the presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, Olumide Akpata and Athan Achonu, the party’s governorship candidates for Edo and Imo states, respectively.
The gathering was held 48 hours after Abure threatened to sanction Obi and Otti for convening the meeting.
During the session, the NEC passed a vote of confidence on Obi, Baba-Ahmed, Otti, the Usman-led caretaker committee, and the Obidient movement.
According to NEC, the convention that brought Abure in did not follow due process of conducting elections from the grassroots through to the national and therefore was not legitimate.
Governor Otti, who read excerpts from the document of the judgement said the apex Court has affirmed that the plaintiff (Nenadi Usman and others) were right in their appeal.
The governor admonished politicians to respect the tenures of office as stipulated in their respective political party constitutions.
Also speaking, Mr. Obi said the court had done the right thing by vacating the judgement of the Appeal court insisting that the right thing be done.
“Our governor has said it. Let’s do the right thing. Let’s go and do it from the ward to local government, to state, to zone, and then come and do it nationally. Everybody’s free to contest.
“Everybody is free to contest. Nobody is excluded. I will ensure fairness.
“We want to build a party that will be fair, a party that will be just, a party that people can look at and say, this is how this party is.
“We want to go into the next election knowing fully well that we are offering Nigeria the best of people and competent people for the House of Assembly, House of Rep, Senate, or for Governor, for any level of election.”
Obi stressed that contrary to speculations he had not discussed with anybody about leaving the labour party adding that the labour party must stand as one united family and act in love.
The former Anambra State governor stated that he had not entered into any discussions with any individual or group regarding his departure from the Labour Party and that any decisions about the party’s future would be made in consultation with its stakeholders.
“I have not told anybody that I am leaving the Labour Party,” Obi said.
In her opening remarks, Usman appealed to “members of the former National Working Committee (NWC), to sheathe their swords and join in the process of rebuilding the party.”
She announced that the party would review its recent governorship primaries inAnambra state and make an official statement soon.
On Saturday, George Moghalu, former managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), was declared winner of the LP primary held in Awka, the Anambra state capital.