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From Idu Jude Abuja
The National Working Committee ( NWC) of the Labour Party has advised party faithful not to be moved by the smear campaign by enemies as it remains committed to taking over the leadership of the country in 2027.
The legal adviser to the party, Kehinde Edun, who made the remark yesterday in Abuja at a press conference, alleged that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had resorted to demarketing the party and its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, who has gained popularity and the confidence of millions of Nigerians.
“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 remains strong, virile and stable.”
Edun further alleged that the leadership of the NLC and the Transition Committee created were 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 knows that they are not registered members of our party, therefore, they 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 semblance of a crisis to justify defection.”
He said the party, however, was rather emboldened as it was convinced of the solemnity and sureness of the triumph of good over evil.
“Today, we shall 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 the INEC to monitor the report of the LP convention in 2024 and the LP constitution.
“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; a position that was also confirmed by INEC and is in the public domain? The 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 three 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 INEC invalidate the convention? The answer is no, and INEC never said so.
“The law did not make it mandatory for INEC to attend any party’s convention. INEC knew it was 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 LP 2024 national convention have been submitted and duly acknowledged by INEC, and the record is now with the INEC.
“The NLC should leave the LP 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 the APC or are they flouting the law to apply the congress funds towards political objectives?”
LP added that 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, Ladi Eliya and National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Mohammed and also nominee of the 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 sympathisers.
“The judgment of the court nullifying the election of some elected people in Zamfara and Plateau states referred to by the 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.
