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Tag: Labour Party (LP)

  • LP Lawmaker Rebukes Deputy Speaker Kalu’s 2027 Abia Takeover Claim, Unveils APC’s Ambitions

    LP Lawmaker Rebukes Deputy Speaker Kalu’s 2027 Abia Takeover Claim, Unveils APC’s Ambitions

    By   Milcah   Tanimu

    Labour Party (LP) Lawmaker, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has responded sharply to Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu’s assertion that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will seize control of Abia State in 2027. Aguocha condemned Kalu’s comments as a blatant display of political ambition and criticized him for undermining the current Governor, Alex Otti.

    Aguocha, representing Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency, challenged Kalu to openly declare his governorship aspirations instead of making veiled claims. He accused Kalu of disrespecting Otti’s office and questioned the Deputy Speaker’s courage to formally declare the governorship seat vacant.

    Kalu’s comments, made in a viral video, have sparked speculation about his intentions to run for governor. The LP Lawmaker disclosed that Kalu’s camp has been boasting about his chances of winning the APC nomination, despite doubts about his ability to defeat Governor Otti.

    Aguocha lauded Governor Otti’s accomplishments, including eliminating ghost workers, advancing infrastructure, and investing in education and health. He advised Kalu to focus on his legislative duties and avoid contributing to political instability.

    The LP Lawmaker assured that Abians will reward Governor Otti for his achievements come 2027 and warned Kalu that there will be no vacancy for the governorship seat. He also reminded Kalu that the Labour Party won Bende Federal Constituency in 2023 and could do so again.

    Aguocha’s statement reads in part:

    “I was initially shocked by your recent video declaring that APC will take over Abia State in 2027. Your comments were condescending and disrespectful towards Governor Otti and the Labour Party. As Deputy Speaker, you should not use your position to make such claims.

    “Your assertion that APC will control Abia by 2027 reflects a brazen disregard for the current administration’s achievements and a lack of humility. If you have ambitions for the governorship, you should state them clearly instead of hiding behind political rhetoric.

    “Governor Otti’s leadership has brought significant positive changes to Abia, and the people will remember his contributions. There is no vacancy in Abia for 2027, and the Labour Party remains strong in the state.

    “Your remarks have demonstrated a lack of respect for the people of Abia and their current leadership. Instead of engaging in political grandstanding, you should focus on serving your constituents and upholding the principles of good governance.”

    Aguocha concluded by suggesting that Kalu might consider a different political path if he finds the Deputy Speaker role unsatisfactory, emphasizing that the people of Abia remain committed to supporting a high-performing leader like Alex Otti.

  • Tanko Discusses Possibility of LP Factions Resolving Rift

    Tanko Discusses Possibility of LP Factions Resolving Rift

    Yunusa Tanko, the spokesman for the former Obi-Datti presidential campaign council, recently addressed the ongoing conflict between the factions of the Labour Party (LP) led by Deputy Chairman Lamidi Apapa and National Chairman Julius Abure. In an interview with Daily Post, Tanko highlighted the unpredictable nature of politics, stating that “anything can happen at any time.”

    Tanko expressed optimism about the potential for unity between the two factions, noting that both Apapa and Abure share a common purpose. He emphasized that if their cooperation is in the best interest of everyone involved, it would be a positive development for the party. However, he also cautioned that any unity should be carefully scrutinized to ensure it serves the greater good.

    The rift between Abure and Apapa has been a significant issue within the LP. In April 2023, a court ruling barred Abure and three others from presenting themselves as national officers of the party. Despite this, Abure, with the support of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under National President Joe Ajaero, fought to retain his position. However, relations between Abure and the NLC deteriorated following a controversial national convention in Anambra, which reaffirmed Abure’s leadership. This event led the NLC to withdraw its support and establish a transition committee to organize a new convention.

    Tanko’s remarks suggest a cautious but hopeful outlook for resolving the internal conflicts within the Labour Party, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective purpose.

  • KENNETH OKONKWO CRITICIZES LABOUR PARTY LEADERSHIP, HINTS AT POSSIBLE DEPARTURE

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure in the Labour Party (LP), has expressed his dissatisfaction with recent developments within the party.

    Okonkwo, who served as a presidential campaign spokesperson for the LP during the 2023 election, characterized the party as “a secret society led by a group of clowns.” He criticized the party’s lack of integrity and its inability to capitalize on internal crises within other parties.

    The LP has been mired in a leadership crisis since Lamidi Apapa, the deputy national chairman (south), declared himself the acting national chairman last year. The situation worsened in 2024 when a national convention in Anambra re-elected Julius Abure as chairman, despite opposition from a faction within the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stated it did not monitor the convention, and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) denounced it as a charade, asserting that Abure’s tenure had ended.

    In an interview, Okonkwo did not rule out the possibility of leaving the LP if the party continues on its current path. “Any party that is not visibly committed to the welfare of Nigerians will most likely not see me there. I don’t rule out going back to anything because change is constant,” he stated.

    Okonkwo expressed disbelief over the party’s handling of the convention, noting that he only learned about it through social media. “Those people are clowns. It is the greatest joke I have ever seen in a political party, and then you want to position yourself as a party of integrity. You cannot give what you don’t have,” he said. He called for Abure and his supporters to step down, describing them as “workers of iniquity.”

    Kenneth Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor turned politician, left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 due to the party’s decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election. He subsequently joined the LP, pledging to support the presidential bid of Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra.

  • Kenneth Okonkwo Criticizes Abuja Meeting, Alleges Governor Fubara Summoned to Serve APC and Wike

    Kenneth Okonkwo Criticizes Abuja Meeting, Alleges Governor Fubara Summoned to Serve APC and Wike

    By Daniel Edu

    Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure in the Labour Party (LP), has strongly criticized the meeting held in Abuja and summoned by President Bola Tinubu to address the political crisis in Rivers State. According to Okonkwo, the meeting, which took place on Monday, was merely a facade used to instruct Governor Siminalayi Fubara on how to become subservient to both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his political mentor, Nyesom Wike.

    In Okonkwo’s view, this gathering underscores the notion that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pose threats to Nigeria’s democracy. He questioned the rationale behind a governor and a PDP stalwart seeking resolution from the APC leadership for their political issues.

    Furthermore, Okonkwo called out President Tinubu, alleging that his advice to parties involved was encouraging a breach of the country’s constitutional provisions in resolving the political turmoil in Rivers State.

    In a statement posted on his X platform account on Tuesday night, Okonkwo expressed his concerns, stating, “Is there any Nigerian still in doubt that APC and PDP have become an existential threat to our democracy and rule of law in Nigeria? How can a PDP Governor and a PDP Chieftain go to APC Leadership to find a solution to their problems? How can a President of a country advise parties before him to breach constitutional provisions to solve political problems?”

    He concluded by suggesting that the current crop of politicians in Nigeria has turned the country into a crime scene, alleging that Governor Fubara was summoned to receive instructions on becoming subservient to the APC and his political mentor.

  • LP Party Faction Accuses Peter Obi of Diverting $15 Million Campaign Funds

    LP Party Faction Accuses Peter Obi of Diverting $15 Million Campaign Funds

    By  Milcah  Tanimu

    A controversy is brewing within the Labour Party (LP) as the Lamidi Apapa faction has leveled accusations against the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alleging that he siphoned off $15 million and N12 billion that were designated for his campaign.

    According to the faction, Obi is alleged to have used these funds to support Julius Abure, the embattled Chairman of the party, and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This revelation was made through a statement issued by Abayomi Arabambi, the spokesman for the Apapa faction.

    The statement asserted, in part: “Our previous stance has now been substantiated, indicating that Peter Obi had solely intended to misappropriate the donations made to our party for the 2023 general election, which amounted to a staggering sum of $15 million and N12 billion. Peter Obi purportedly utilized these funds to alleviate the poverty within the Abure lineage and to provide support to Julius Abure and the irresponsible, irredentist supporters of IPOB.”

    Furthermore, the faction accused Peter Obi of fraudulent misappropriation of funds meant for LP’s representatives across the country, alleging that these representatives had failed to carry out their duties at polling units.

    It is noteworthy that the LP has been embroiled in a leadership struggle between the Apapa faction and the faction led by Julius Abure since the party’s defeat in the presidential election.

  • Labour Party in Crisis: Abure Rejects Appeal Court Judgment as “Fake News”

    Labour Party in Crisis: Abure Rejects Appeal Court Judgment as “Fake News”

    Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has strongly contested his reported removal by an Appeal Court session held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. According to reports, the Court of Appeal, which convened in Abuja due to security concerns, nullified all unscheduled gubernatorial primary elections conducted by Julius Abure, the party’s National Chairman.

    The court further instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly acknowledge and publish the names of governorship candidates from Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states as endorsed by the National Working Committee led by Lamidi Apapa.

    Lamidi Apapa, addressing journalists, emphasized that the court’s decision confirmed that Abure was not the legitimate party chairman during the primary elections. Apapa clarified, “The issue in Edo State primarily revolves around civil matters. The Edo Excos had suspended him, leading to a court case. However, their authority to suspend him is questionable, as I am referring to matters at the ward level.”

    Apapa continued, “On the other hand, the restraining order from the FCT (court) pertains to criminal matters, involving the state and Abure. In this scenario, no one is exempt from legal proceedings. This disparity delineates civil matters from criminal ones. The FCT’s restraining order remains in effect; thus, the Appeal Court confirmed that Abure conducted the primaries while the restraining order persisted, underscoring its continued validity.”

    In contrast, Abure dismissed the news of his removal by the Appeal Court as false. In an interview with The PUNCH, he asserted, “It is unequivocally false news. I am providing you with our official response to the matter. Senator Athan Achonu is our designated candidate. The lower court initially declared its lack of jurisdiction over the case and maintained the status quo.”

    Abure continued, “Our decision to appeal was motivated by the judge’s extraneous remarks following the jurisdiction denial, aimed at precluding potential challenges. The current court ruling negated the necessity of the appeal by reiterating its lack of jurisdiction.”

    Abure expressed skepticism, stating, “Both the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court have ruled against them. However, they seem accustomed to propagating misinformation and similar tactics.”

    Umar Farouk, the LP National Secretary, further refuted the accuracy of the reports, asserting that Abure’s name was absent from the appellate court’s verdict. Farouk clarified, “The information provided was inaccurate. The judgment did not mention Abure at any point. The verdict did not include such details. Someone has deliberately distorted the judgment, and this is incorrect.”

  • Nigerian Prof becomes VC of Birmingham City University: Peter Obi’s Reaction.

    Nigerian Prof becomes VC of Birmingham City University: Peter Obi’s Reaction.

    Following the appointment of Nigerian professor David Mba as the Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed his reaction. Obi acknowledged Prof Mba’s significant contributions to the academic sector in the United Kingdom over the years, where he held prominent positions in various institutions.

    The former Anambra governor noted that Mba’s journey to greatness speaks volumes of the great intellectual potential that Nigerians are endowed with and “why we must pay more attention to and invest more in our educational sector.

    “The good education Prof Mba received at various stages of his life placed him on the global stage. No nation raises great and responsible citizens without education,” Obi said in a tweet dated Saturday, July 22, 2023.

    “I wish Prof David Mba well in his new position and urge him to seek ways of contributing to the development of our dear nation, Nigeria, as we struggle to build the New Nigeria of our dreams.”

  • BREAKING: Chairman of Labour Party Abdulkadir Abdulsalam is dead

    BREAKING: Chairman of Labour Party Abdulkadir Abdulsalam is dead

    The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, is reportedly dead.

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    The Deputy National Secretary of the party, Kennedy Chigozie, who confirmed the demise of the Chairman, said he died in the early hours of Tuesday December 29, 2020.

    Details later…