Labour crisis: NLC threatens legal action against LP

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has again moved against the proposed convention of the Labour party as advanced by the Julius Abure-led execo of the LP.

The party, which accused Abure of taking a unilateral decision in respect of the proposed national convention of the party, has threatened to drag the party to court if it went ahead.

In a letter written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) told the party to desist from validating the “illegal Labour Party National Convention” scheduled for March 27, 2024.

Dated March 22, 2024, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the LP National Legal Adviser and obtained by newsmen, NLC warned that if the party did not desist and stop the Convention, it would sue the LP for contempt in view of the two valid judgments of the Federal High Court.

Earlier, the Political Commission of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) directed state chapters of NLC to mobilize members to picket all Labour Party offices nationwide over the lingering political crisis in the party.

NLC had accused the embattled National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure of unilateral decision to hold a national convention of the party, amid financial rascality and contempt for its leadership.

Meanwhile, NLC in the letter cited that the proposed National Convention of the Labour Party is in violation of the valid orders of court in suit “Nos; (1) FHC/ABJ/CS/491/2021; FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 Between; (1) Labour Party & 9 Ors Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors; Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & 8 Ors.”

In the letter signed by Marshal Abubakar, LP of the Falana and Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, the union specifically warned the National Legal Officer of LP that if the convention holds in violation of the orders of the court, it would not only institute contempt proceedings against him being party to the two judgments of the court, but will report him to the disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The union also appealed to INEC chairman to restrain officials of the Commission from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for rule of law by attending the illegal convention.

In a well-considered ruling, the Federal High Court on Friday July, 23, 2021 gave a verdicts against the convention pending further actions.