By Uzair Adam Imam
Supporters of Comrade Julious Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), took to the streets of Gudu, Abuja, today to voice their grievances against what they perceive as unwarranted interference by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the affairs of their party.
Dozens of protesters, brandishing placards emblazoned with messages such as “On Abure’s mandate we stand,” “NLC leave Abure alone,” and “Nnawi’ National Convention is valid,” commenced their march from the new Abuja chapter secretariat.
The demonstration follows a recent escalation in tensions between the Nigerian Labour Congress and the leadership of the Labour Party, with the NLC accusing Abure of operating as a sole administrator within the LP. This accusation culminated in the NLC passing a vote of no confidence in Abure’s leadership and demanding his resignation.
The conflict between the two organizations has captured widespread attention and sparked debates regarding the NLC’s authority to intervene in LP’s affairs, as well as the underlying reasons behind their dispute.
Investigations by Vanguard have revealed that the ongoing power struggle between the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party and the Comrade Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress is jeopardizing the future of the Labour Party itself.
Central to the conflict is the battle for control over the party’s structure, with major stakeholders accusing Abure of treating the LP as his personal fiefdom, an allegation vehemently denied by Abure.
Trouble began brewing for Abure shortly after the 2023 general elections, when some party members, led by Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and Abayomi Arabambi, accused him of financial mismanagement. Subsequent court battles resulted in Abure’s leadership being upheld by the Court of Appeal.
However, fresh turmoil erupted when the party’s former National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Oparah, publicly alleged that Abure must be held accountable for over N3.5 billion, purportedly received by the party from the sale of forms and donations during the 2023 elections. Oparah’s outspokenness led to her suspension for six months on grounds of bringing the party’s reputation into disrepute.
Currently, the Abure-led NWC of the LP finds itself at odds not only with the NLC but also with the House of Representatives caucus of the party. This discord stems from Abure’s unilateral decision to proceed with plans for a national convention without soliciting input from party stakeholders.
As tensions continue to mount, the future trajectory of the Labour Party remains uncertain, with the specter of internal strife casting a shadow over its viability as a political entity.