The National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has urged the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to sheathe it’s sword against the party’s executives, in the interest of the country.
Abure, who held his first media conference after the LP’s national convention, and after the April attack on his residence, said that it was imperative to put differences aside and collectively work in the interest of the party and Nigerians who are currently suffering in the midst of plenty.
An elated Abure accused the federal government of hyperinflation, “hardship and poverty,” adding that the cost of food items, transportation and other essentials, have increased so much since the coming into office of the administration.
“When we say that Labour Party is different, this is one aspect that makes us different from all other Political Parties. In our party, organs like the NWC, NEC and the Convention make decisions irrespective of the desire of the political leaders.
“I therefore want to appreciate all our supporters who stood by us during the National Convention and by so doing promoted the Principle of Party Supremacy.
“We also seize this opportunity to appreciate the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti who supported the National Convention.
“It must be noted that all delegates from the state, including the Deputy Governor, Commissioners, State Legislators, Advisers and all other appointees who were delegates were present at the Convention.
I specially thank the Deputy Governor Eng. Ikechukwu Emetu for representing his boss and leading other members of the State Executive Council to the Convention,” the LP stressed.
On the position of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, on the leadership crisis that engulfed the Labour Party, he explained, “We appreciate our national leader, Peter Gregory Obi who in one way or the other, gave his support. The position of Peter Obi is clearly understood. His situation is similar to a man who is married to about 4 wives and expected to protect the interests of all the wives and the children.
“Hence, we appreciate him for his tactfulness. Finally, Labour Party Leadership highly appreciates the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, TUC led by Comrade Festus Usifoh, first, for refusing to join the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC to fight the party.
“Secondly, we thank the TUC for not only supporting the National Convention but for attending the same by sending a high-level delegation.
“There is no doubt that the TUC leadership has demonstrated patriotism, reasonableness and mature leadership.
“Like the national leader of the party Mr Peter Obi, said, the National Convention has come and gone, it is therefore imperative for us to put our differences aside and collectively work in the interest of the party and Nigerians who are currently suffering in the midst of plenty.
“It is very obvious that Nigerians are not finding it funny as a result of the harsh socio-economic conditions of the country. I must also put on record in this Press Conference and state clearly that I, Barrister Julius Abure, is not an enemy in the struggle for a New Nigeria.
“I have demonstrated this before, during and after the 2023 general election. I have provided selfless, fearless and result-oriented leadership for our party since I assumed the leadership of our party in 2021.
“The Nigerian people have a common enemy which I refer to as the ruling oligarchy in Nigeria. They have held the country captive and ensured that our common patrimony is stolen.
“For us, we feel that all the bickering, fights and attacks on the leadership of the Party is absolutely unnecessary. Moreso that they are anchored in falsehood, motivated by inordinate ambition and selfish interest.
“It is therefore in our collective interest to put all our energies and resources together and begin to fight our common enemy and reposition our party for better performance. We must create an enabling environment to capture power and use same for the betterment of our people.
“Consequently, I want to appeal to first, my own brother, friend and Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC whom we have worked together in the trenches over the years in the struggle for the workers, to put aside whatever may be his grievances and let’s work in the interest.”