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From Idu Jude Abuja
The leadership of Labour Party has reacted to the allegation made by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that the Nnewi convention that saw the relection of Barrister Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman was illegitimate, stating that the absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the March 27 national convention does not invalidate the election.
This was disclosed by the National Legal Adviser of LP, Kehinde Edun, at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, during a press conference.
Recall that the INEC had last week announced that none of its officials attended or monitored proceedings at the disputed convention held at Nnewi, Anambra State.
Recall that in the past four months, Abure has been at loggerheads with the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC over the legitimacy of his Nnewi re-election.
Barrister Edun said, “Even though the applicant and his principal were dishonest and manipulative, the response was accurate and unpretentious.
“How on earth could there be an INEC monitored report when we have made it clear that INEC did not attend which position was also confirmed by INEC and is in the public domain? NLC and its cronies including the applicant knew INEC didn’t attend, why then ask for the INEC report and what is their business with?
“In paragraph 3 of the INEC’s reply, the commission expressed regret that it did not monitor the convention and could therefore not have an INEC-monitored report.
“Now, did the non-attendance of INE invalidate the convention? The answer is capital NO and INEC never said so.
The law did not make it mandatory for INEC to attend any Party’s convention. INEC knew they were at liberty to come or not. What the law requires is proper notice.
“This is provided for in Section 82(1) to 82(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022. A communal reading of those provisions makes clear that we shall give at least 21 days’ notice (82)(1). That INEC may, with or without prior notice to us attend and observe (this is not compulsory (82)(2).
“That failure to notify INEC as stated in 82(1) shall render the convention invalid (82)(5). Take note that the law did not state that failure of INEC to attend shall render the convention invalid. What then is the essence of the dishonest, dubious and misconceived hue and cry by the NLC?”
Meanwhile, the party has said that section 83 of the Electoral Act, 2022, provided that monitoring and keeping records of activities of the political parties is not only by INEC attendance at meetings but also by seeking information or clarification from the chairman and secretary.
The party maintained that in the instant case, the information and clarification on the activities of the Labour Party 2024 national convention have been submitted and duly acknowledged by INEC and the record is now with the INEC.
“The NLC should leave the Labour Party alone and focus on its mandate to see if it can salvage itself or still have any relevance left.
“Their attempt at hijacking our party is illegal and unconstitutional as stipulated in sections 221 to 229 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also, sections 15(1) to 15(3) of the Trade Union Act prohibit the NLC from applying its funds towards any political objectives. So where are they getting the money to cause all the trouble?
“We know that they have been paid by APC or are they flouting the law to apply the congress funds towards political objectives?
“In section 15(3)(a) political objective is said to include “the making of any contribution towards the funds of any political party”. So NLC should steer clear.”
Furthermore, the LP said that the judgment being mouthed by the NLC, the continuous agitation of the NLC over a consent judgment or agreement has become nauseating, disgusting and detestable.
“Are they saying our courts are powerless to enforce their judgments? NLC should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves if truly they have had unenforceable judgment since 2018 and have been unable to reap the fruit of that judgment.
“The truth is, there is no order against the Labour Party, so the question of disobeying a court order does not exist. The 2018 consent judgment and the 2022 terms of settlement have been complied with by us. If anyone is in breach, it is the NLC.
“As for the 2018 terms of settlement which was adopted as consent judgment, the court in its wisdom said”. It shall operate to bind parties who signed it”. Though LP did not sign the terms of the settlement, we fully complied with it at the 2019 convention for the sake of Peace.
“With regards to the 2022 agreement, the party fulfilled its part of the bargain by appointing nominees of the NLC as Deputy National Chairman (Comrade Ladi Eliya) and National Vice Chairman (Alh Umaru Mohammed) and Alsa o nominee of TUC Dr Ayo Olorunfemi as Deputy National Chairman.
“We reiterate that there has never been any injunctive or coercive order against the Labour Party. An order of Court either compels you to do or refrain from doing a thing. If there is an order against us we will surely obey as a law-abiding political party.
“NLC should therefore stop deceiving themselves and their few sympathizers.
“The judgment of the court nullifying the election of some elected people in Zamfara and Plateau States referred to by NLC is not relevant to this situation.
“In those cases, the political parties involved disobeyed injunctive orders and suffered the consequences. As we have said earlier there has been no order against the Labour Party”, he said.
While admonishing the party faithful to be steady during this trying period, Edun, said, “Our Party is being assailed on all sides by paid agents, chiefly the NLC and its cronies. The job for which the NLC has been paid is to create a semblance of division and crisis in our Party. But despite their agenda, our party remain strong, virile and stable”.
He further alleged that the leadership of the NLC and the Transition Committee created are not members of the party.
“They are external aggressors paid by rival political parties to embark on a campaign of calumny and ferocious attacks against our party’s Leaders. The leadership of the NLC know that they are not registered members of our party and therefore have no stake in the party.
“Their claim to any stake in the party is false, mischievous and lacking any merit whatsoever. But they continue to deceive gullible people and are therefore willing tools in the hands of politicians and some of our elected members who want to simulate or create the appearance of a crisis to justify defection.”
He said the party however is rather emboldened as it is convinced of the solemnity and sureness of the triumph of good over evil.
“Today, we should now respond to some of their fabrications. On the deliberate misinterpretation of INEC’s reply to an application by Messr Steve Adehi, SAN & Co.
“This letter is very clear and unambiguous and shouldn’t have been the subject of any argument. However not finding anything to hold against us, they went to import what is not contained in the letter into it.
“The applicant (an agent of the NLC) requested the certified true copy (CTC) of INEC to monitor the report of the Labour Party Convention in 2024 and the Labour Party constitution”, he said.
