Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, has called on the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and other prominent members to return to the party following recent internal disputes.
In an interview on Saturday, Abure addressed the ongoing tensions within the party after some stakeholders opposed his re-election as national chairman.
Critics argued that the controversial Nnewi convention, which returned him to office, was not inclusive enough.
As a result, Obi, Otti, and other key party figures formed a 29-member caretaker committee in July, led by former Finance Minister Nnenadi Usman.
The committee was tasked with organizing a broader election to elect new leaders at various levels within the party.
However, Abure’s position as chairman was reaffirmed after a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which validated his election.
Since then, Abure has been working to regain the trust of party members who had opposed his leadership.
Addressing the situation, Abure dismissed claims of a crisis within the party, stating, “There is no longer a crisis in the party. The court has ruled that I am the legitimate leader of the Labour Party. If there’s a dispute, the proper course of action is to go to court, and the court has upheld our national convention.”
He also responded to accusations that the convention had not followed proper procedures, explaining, “INEC had initially pointed out that we didn’t follow due process, but the court ruled that the convention was in compliance with the party’s constitution, the electoral act, and the constitution of Nigeria.”
Abure extended an olive branch to those who felt wronged, saying, “We have forgiven everyone who might have felt offended. I hold no grudges, and we are moving forward as one big family in the Labour Party.”
The chairman also reflected on the nation’s current hardships, acknowledging that while leadership plays a role, the issues go beyond just governance.
“Our country is at a crossroads. It’s a time for reflection. The problems we face are not solely because of leadership but also because of the mindset and actions of the people,” he said.
Abure emphasized the need for electoral reform to address persistent issues in electing capable leaders.
“We need to reform the electoral system to ensure that we elect leaders with integrity who can drive the country’s development,” he concluded.
