From Idu Jude, Abuja
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday directed the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) to organise a national convention within 90 days. The convention will elect an expanded National Working Committee (NWC) to reposition the party.
This decision follows the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, April 4, which sacked Julius Abure as National Chairman. The court dismissed the FCT High Court and Appeal Court judgements for lack of jurisdiction, which had previously recognised Abure as chairman. Additionally, the tenure of the 2019-elected NWC expired on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The NEC adopted several resolutions to strengthen the LP. “Sen. Usman led the CTC of LP to hold a Party Convention within 90 days,” the NEC stated, aligning with a consent judgement brokered by INEC on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, and executed between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and LP on Monday, June 27, 2022.
Key resolutions include:
– Appointing three Deputy National Chairmen to support National Chairman Senator Nenadi Esther Usman in the NCC.
– Appointing three Deputy National Secretaries to assist National Secretary Senator Darlington Nwokocha.
– Filling NWC vacancies within the NCC.
– Forming standing and ad-hoc committees to support congresses leading to the national convention.
The NEC also approved opening a new LP National Secretariat in Abuja, FCT, and notified INEC to close the old secretariat at No. 2 IBM Haruna Street, Utako District, Abuja, immediately.
Furthermore, the NEC launched a nationwide drive to register 10 million members within 30 days. This includes online registration with downloadable membership cards featuring unique identification numbers and hard copies. Existing members must revalidate their membership with an annual subscription of N1,200. Support groups will also receive downloadable registration certificates with unique identifiers.
The NEC outlined plans for ward, local government, state congresses, and delegate elections, culminating in an inclusive and expansive National Convention in 2025.