***Appoints veteran journalist, Obiora as spokesperson
***Extends tenure of current NWC for 12 months
Labour Party at its national executive council meeting (NEC) held in Asaba on Tuesday wielded the big stick as it reaffirm and upheld the decision of the Akure convention which expelled from the party its former publicity secretary Comrade Arabambi Abayomi.
It also suspended seven National Working Committee members.
A statement signed by Deputy National Chairman Comrade Ladi lliya and Dep. National Secretary
Prince Kennedy Ahanotu listed the suspended NWC members to include Lamidi Apapa,Alhaji Salem Lawal, Prince Favour Reuben, Gbenga Daramola
Samuel Akingbade and Mohammed Akali.
The statement indicated that after NEC in session examined the anti party activities of some of its members, it resolved to take the punitive measures
“NEC considered the disciplinary committee report which recommended the suspension of Anslem Eragbe and recommended the same to the next convention for expulsion. Pending the next convention, NEC suspends him indefinitely.
The NEC in Session according to the statement constituted a disciplinary Committee members of which included Ladi Illiya, Rotimi Adekunle,Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, Yunusa Tanko andChief Tony Ezeagwu.
It also went ahead in line with the powers confered on it to fill the vacant positions of the National Youth Leader with Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, Ag. National Publicity Secretary with Mr. Obiora Ifoh, Ag. National Legal Adviser with Barr. Edun Kehinde, Ag. Deputy National Secretary with Chief Rotimi Kehindeand Ag. ‘National Vice Chairman (South/South) with Chief Anthony Ezeagwu.
The National Executive Council (NEC) in session critically evaluated the 2023
general elections and noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) was unalble to transmit election results in real-time from the polling units giving room for massive manipulation of results.
“Labour Party noted and condemned the use of security agencies by government officials particularly by politicians to harass, intimidate, buy votes, which largely compromised the outcome of the election.”
It also condemned the use of thugs and the reintroduction of ballot snatching and writing of results in the collation
centre as a dangerous trend in our democratic process
It stated that the trend if not checked may slide the country into a civilian dictatorship.
“NEC in session note that civilian dictatorship is worse than a military dictatorship.”
It appealed to the judiciary to at all times be on the part of the people by promoting acts that enhance democracy, fundamental freedom, rule of law, and the doctrine of separation of powers.
The NEC in session considered the expiration of the current National Working Committee that will lapse in June and stated inter alia that it is most inappropriate to convene a National Convention.
This it indicated in view of recent events in the party, considering the controversies and bad blood generated by elective convention, conscious of the numerous court cases; Presidential, Governorship, Senatorial, and House of Assemblies, the need to remain focused and reorganize the party.
“Consequently, NEC extended the tenure of the current NWC for 12 months. which is in line with our party’s constitution in article 13 (2) (B) IX.
It stated as follows:
“To take decisions on when to hold a regular National Convention of the Party in the event that the Natlonal Convention could not hold for any reason whatsoever when It fell due’
“NEC noted that this is in line with the best practices of the party. In 2012, when the Convention fell due and could not hold as scheduled, National Executive Council (NEC) in session extended the tenure of the NWC and the convention was held in 2014 in session extended the tenure of the NWC and the Convention was held in 2014. In 2018, when the Convention became due and Convention could not be held, the NEC in session which held in Minna, Niger State extended the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) before the Convention was held in 2019.
Finally, the NEC in session said it reposed implicit confidence in Abure’s led National Working Committee (NWC).
The NEC meeting was attended by members of the National Working Committee, State Chairmen, State Secretaries, Presidential Candidate (H.E Peter Obi), National Assembly members-elect, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC), And Trade Union Congress (TUC)