THE National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party in Asaba has suspended the Bashir Apapa-led Labour Party and extended the tenure of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by 12 months.
The decision was made at the NEC meeting attended by key stakeholders, including the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, National Assembly members-elect, INEC, NLC, and TUC.
In a statement signed by the Deputy National Chairman, Comrade Ladi lliya, and the Deputy National Secretary and Acting Youth Leader Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, the NEC suspended several NWC members, including Lamidi Apapa, Alhaji Salem Lawal, Prince Favour Reuben, Gbenga Daramola, Samuel Akingbade, and Mohammed Akali, for alleged anti-party activities.
The NEC also condemned the use of security agencies by government officials to harass and intimidate voters, leading to the manipulation of election results. The party called on the judiciary to promote acts that enhance democracy, fundamental freedom, the rule of law, and the doctrine of separation of powers.
The NEC sympathized with Nigerians who have continued to suffer from poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and underdevelopment. The party promised to change these narratives when in power.
Furthermore, the NEC extended the tenure of the NWC for 12 months in line with the party’s constitution and best practices. The party noted that the controversies and bad blood generated by the elective convention and numerous court cases made it inappropriate to convene a national convention. The party expressed confidence in the Abure-led NWC to reorganize the party and lead it to victory.
“NEC noted that this is in line with the best practices of the party. In 2012, when the Convention fell due and could not hold as scheduled, National Executive Council (NEC) in session extended the tenure of the NWC and the convention was held in 2014 in session extended the tenure of the NWC and the Convention was held in 2014.
In 2018, when the Convention became due and Convention could not be held, the NEC in a session held in Minna, Niger State extended the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) before the Convention was held in 2019,” the statement read.
