Preliminary preparations for 2027 general election by the Labour Party (LP) may have started.
The opposition party declared yesterday that it will accord to its presidential candidate in last year’s election, Peter Obi, the right of first refusal in 2027.
LP also announced its plan to reserve its governorship ticket in Imo State for Governor Alex Otti, who is the only governor elected on the platform..
The party peeped into the future during its national convention held at Nnewi, Anambra State, where 387 delegates from 36 states and Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), elected its interim chairman, Julius Abure, as national chairman.
However, the party crisis, which warranted the shifting of the convention venue from Umuahia, Abia State, to Nnewi, Anambra State deepened.
There was commotion at the Grand Swiss Hotel, venue of the convention as some party members threatened to disrupt the process.
The arrested members were said to be distributing inciting leaflets critical of the party leadership
No fewer than seven party members were arrested by the police for allegedly causing trouble.
Key party leaders, including Obi, Otti and Senator Victor Umeh, were absent from the convention.
But, Oti’s Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, was at the convention.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Joe Ajaero, rejected the convention, saying it is a ruse.
Other officers returned by voice votes are Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim (National Secretary), Deputy National Chairman Clement Ojukwu, Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi,
National Vice Chairman, North Central, Abraham Idoko, National Vice Chairman South East Ceekay Igara, and National Vice Chairman Southsouth, Anthony C. Ezeagwu.
Others are Deputy National Secretary, Rotimi Kehinde Adekunle, Deputy National Secretary , Innocent Okeke, National Treasurer, Mrs Ngozi Doga, National Financial Secretary, Dayo Ekong , National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, National Organizing Secretary Comrade Yahuza Ahmed, National Legal Adviser Kehinde Edun, National Women leader Mrs. Dudu Manuga, National Youth Leader Prince Kennedy Ihanotu, Assistant National Youth Leader Northwest Abdulrahman Chindo and Assistant National Youth Leader Southsouth, Barry Auotu.
House of Representatives members who attended the convention included George Ozodinobi, Deputy Minority Whip, Prof. Nnamchi (Enugu), Chinedu Obika (Amak Constituency, Abuja), Tochukwu Okere, Matthew Nwogu, Ben Itanobena, Esosa Iyawe and Sir Emmanuel Otti
Others are Clinton Amadi, Dep Minority Leader, Imo Assembly, Emanuel Emeruwa, Abia State House of Assembly Speaker, Augustine Okezie, Abia deputy Speaker, Okoro Uchenna Kalu, Majority Leader, Anthony Abiola, Isienyi Boniface, Ume Mathias, Mbah Kalu and Ucheonue Stephen.
The Abia Deputy Governor Emetu, who represented Governor Otti and served as convention chairman, advised the delegates to see themselves as members of a united family.
He said: “We are not distracted as a party. Whether they like it or not, the Labour Party is intact.”
Abure promised to offer a pro-active, purposeful, and result-driven leadership and make the party a vibrant opposition platform.
He said the uniqueness of Labour Party has attracted envy and baseless allegations.
Abure expressed happiness that the party had seven senators, 45 House of Representatives, many House of Assembly members and a governor.
He added: “ Labour Party has done very well and I’m sure that’s why they are fighting us. All the allegations were baseless. I therefore, want to urge you to discontenance and disregard all of them.
“They have resorted to cheap blackmail. They have resorted to curious allegations that they could not prove. They reported us to the police and we were given a clean slate.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to put in our best to flow the party. I can assure you in 2027, the Presidency will be our target.
“I assure you we will never compromise the ideology, integrity and dignity of the party.”
In a communique, read by Ifoh, the party noted that the security and economic situations in the country had continued to detoriate and called on President Tinubu to intervene.
Ajaero kicks
Ajaero rejected the outcome of the convention, saying that Abure is not the chairman.
He said Abure was deceiving himself by parading himself as chairman
The NLC president said his position represented the views of the NLC, the Board of Trustees of the party, founding fathers and other stakeholders.
