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STATEMENT FROM THE LABOUR PARTY
‘Good to see you’, Prof. Yakubu welcomes Abure to INEC Headquarters
**Party ready to resolve issues with Obi, Otti, others – Labour Party Chairman
It was a mild drama today at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as the chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu happily welcomed the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure into the fold of the national chairmen of the political parties in Nigeria.
An obviously elated INEC chairman who on Wednesday at the occasion of the first consultative meeting of INEC and the leadership of the political parties in 2025, commended Barrister Abure for his resilience and sticking to the rule of law, saying “Good to see you,” amidst slapping of hands.
Speaking to the media, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Abure dispelled the insinuations that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti are working against the leadership of the party. He insisted that the misunderstanding has been exaggerated and must be seen as a family affair which must be resolved amicably within the family.
Abure also appreciated both the High Court and Court of Appeal for their judgements which favoured the Labour Party. He however vowed that under his watch, the party will reconcile all aggrieved members of the party and reposition the party for future elections.
According to him, “Let me first appreciate the Appeal Court for doing justice, for looking at the whole matter and resolving it in our favour which ordinarily is in line with the law of the land, the constitution of Nigeria, the electoral law and the party constitution. So we want to appreciate the Court of Appeal judges. We also want to appreciate the High Court judges who had earlier delivered judgement in favour of the leadership of the party.
“I want to say essentially, that the squabbles within the party ought to be a family affair and that is how I see it. For me, there are no hard feelings. Like I said before, all those who may have one grievance or the other against the leadership of the party, it is an opportunity for all of us to come together, reconcile our differences and chart a way forward for our party.
“For me, I am open for reconciliation and the party will apply every measure to bring everybody within the party for us to discuss and chart a way forward for the party. I believe the interest of Nigeria and the interest of the party supercede every other interest. So it is my appeal for every aggrieved member of the party to come back for the interest of the party and for the interest of Nigeria.”
On his relationship between Peter Obi and Governor Otti concerning their involvement in the crisis in the party, Barrister Abure said, “I am sure that very soon, all our differences will be put aside, and we will again speak authoritatively with one voice and come out stronger and very effective in the political space.
“There is no political party without some differences, it is a game of interests and there will always be conflicting interests in every political environment. I believe we will come out better and stronger. Now we have seen our strengths, we have also seen our weaknesses and I am sure that all of these, put together, will reshape the party and make the party to be better and we will perform better in future elections.”
SIGN:
Obiora Ifoh
National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party
22/01/2025
