Amid tight security, Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, secured his reelection at a convention in Nnewi, Anambra State on Wednesday.
During the convention, the party revealed its plan to reserve the presidential ticket for the 2027 general election exclusively for Peter Obi, who was the party’s presidential candidate last year.
Similar consideration was given to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress, which opposed Abure’s leadership in the LP, dismissed the convention held on Wednesday, affirming that Abure’s position would not be acknowledged.
Responding to the convention’s outcome, NLC spokesman Benson Upah stated, “It’s an illegal act, completely null and void. The entire process was a mere façade! No justification can validate such blatant defiance of the law.”
When questioned about the labor union’s next steps, Upah cryptically remarked, “Just wait and watch.”
The convention, held at the Grand Seasons Hotel in Nnewi, was attended by a sparse crowd.
At the conclusion of the event, Deputy Governor of Abia State Ikechukwu Emetu, the convention chair, declared Abure the winner with unanimous support from the delegates.
Emetu acted on behalf of Governor Otti.
Former National Organizing Secretary of the party, Chief Clement Ojukwu, emerged as the Deputy National Chairman of the party.
Seven other individuals were also unanimously elected to the National Working Committee of the Labour Party.
Meanwhile, 14 former NWC members were dropped due to either poor performance or having surpassed the party’s stipulated term limits as per the party’s constitution.
One of the officers, Chief Innocent Okeke (Agumba), the immediate past Assistant National Chairman (South East), voluntarily stepped down after completing the allowable two terms.
Notable absentees at the national convention included the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed, as well as Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye.
NewsNow could not ascertain the reason behind their absence.
However, a communique circulated post-convention by the LP reviewed the performance of its 2023 election candidates — Peter Obi and Alex Otti — and decided to reserve the party’s presidential and governorship tickets for them respectively in the 2027 general elections.
Signed by Abure and National Secretary Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, the communique also urged President Bola Tinubu to address the escalating insecurity and inflation in the country.
The communique stated, “Based on the conduct of the presidential candidate pre, during, and post the 2023 general elections, it was suggested that the party’s 2027 presidential ticket be reserved solely for His Excellency, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the party’s national leader.”
“Furthermore, the convention participants reviewed the ongoing progress and effectiveness of Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, expressing confidence in him and recommending him for the 2027 Abia State governorship ticket.”
The convention’s communique urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently implement measures to salvage the economy from collapse and steer it towards growth and development.”
The party reassured its members nationwide of a promising and prosperous future.
“Now that the elections are over, the convention encourages all factions to merge their structures at the ward, local, and national levels with the existing party structure,” it concluded.