***As Conflict Resolution Committee condemns needless rancour
The leadership of the Labour Party (LP), has taken a bold step to bring all its warring factions to a round table to find a lasting solution to the crises that has threatened the foundation of the party
At a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the opposition party through its Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee (LP-SPCRC) under the leadership of retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Charles Ugomuoh expressed displeasure at the rancour raging among groups in the Party
The committee vowed that it can “not standby and allow the party to disintegrate”.
A statement signed by Ugomoh and the Committee’s Secretary, Diyoke Kenneth, appealed to the aggrieved members and groups to “sheath their swords and explore internal conflict resolution mechanism of the party”, as provided by the Committee.
While noting that the Labour Party “is now the fastest growing party in Africa”, the Committee also warned members against actions that are inimical to LP’s interests.
On its activities in recent time, the statement said, “we are happy with its performance and achievements in the last general elections, especially our presidential candidate, Mr Peter Gregory Obi”.
This is even as it called on aggrieved persons and groups to “appear before it and ventilate their grievances in line with the party’s internal mechanism of conflicts resolution.”
Some of the Labour Party’s leaders have been at daggers drawn against themselves.
The situation led to the suspension of the former Deputy National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, the expulsion of the former National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, and other breakaway members, amidst a lingering suit on the legitimacy of Julius Abure, as National Chairman of the LP.
The LP-SPCRC which was inaugurated in 2022 is meant to among others, develop a security framework for rallies, campaigns, and other party activities; advise on security situation during campaigns in towns/state capitals, and to interface with the security agencies on behalf of the party.
Ugomuoh while responding to questions from newsmen said they have invited the warring factions whom he said have made several submissions to the committee adding that most of their submissions are still intact with this committee.
“We had to go into general elections and now that elections are over and all the aggrieved members are appearing. We are now going to send them invitations to come up with their grievances because we are going to give them equitable and fare resolutions in all their matters.”
On whether their intervention is coming too late, he said no time is late to restore peace, oneness of the Labour Party being the fastest growing party on Africa.
He said they want to leverage on that popularity as he urged all aggrieved members to sheath their swords as the committee will give everybody equitable settlement.
“We are going to call all aggrieved members and the leadership of the party and we are going to have a round table discussion. Whatever is your grievance, we are asking you to sheath your sword.
“This party has grown beyond what it use to be and beyond the personal interest of anybody
There is nothing we cannot resolve so we are calling on some of them who had their cases in court to withdraw them. “We are now giving invitation to all of them to ventilate their grievances through this committee and we will give them fare hearing.
