The Labour Party has urged Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to step down from his role and instead run for the chairmanship position within the party.
Amidst consultations with the National Chairman, the decision was made to convene various meetings, including the National Convention, NEC, and NWC. This call for a convention follows the unanimous decision of the party’s national executive council. The LP finds it paradoxical that the NLC, which has advocated for a convention, now questions its necessity.
The LP leadership questions the NLC’s intentions, prompting them to clarify their stance. If Ajaero aspires to lead the party, the LP advises him to resign from his NLC position and compete for the National Chairmanship during the upcoming convention on March 27, 2024.
Concerns arise over the NLC’s undue influence on the LP’s affairs, emphasizing the party’s autonomy granted by the 1999 Constitution. According to both the Electoral Act and the Constitution, no organization can assert ownership over another. Only those who subscribe to and financially support the LP hold ownership and decision-making power within the party.
The LP highlights past instances of NLC pressure on party decisions, citing the example of Alex Otti’s denied gubernatorial candidacy in the 2023 elections. Despite initial objections, Otti’s performance in Abia state now garners praise from the LP.
In defiance of interference, the LP reaffirms its commitment to party programs and the upcoming convention. The LP emphasizes the importance of grassroots engagement in party politics, urging the NLC to focus on mobilizing members at the ward level if they seek leadership roles within the party.
