Labour Party Crisis Deepens as Callistus Okafor Claims Chairmanship

 

The Labour Party (LP) crisis has taken a dramatic turn with former Deputy National Chairman Callistus Okafor claiming the position of National Chairman. At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Okafor announced his intention to "take over" the party, citing a 2018 federal high court consent judgment he alleges has been overlooked.

Okafor referred to a leadership dispute that occurred during the tenure of the late national chairman, Abdulkadir Salam, and a competing faction led by Salisu Mohammed, who also declared himself as the national caretaker chair. The court, presided over by Judge Gabriel Kolawole, had ruled that both factions' national conventions were "inclusive" in the consent judgment.

According to Okafor, the court's ruling was not enforced, allowing Julius Abure to ascend to the position of national chairman, inheriting a flawed structure. He argues that as a member of the National Working Committee at the time, he and others are beneficiaries of the 2018 judgment, which grants him the right to assume the role of acting chairman.

“The rightful owner has claimed the house,” Okafor asserted. “This is not a contest with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), but about the process and adherence to the 2014 convention as the legitimate path to leadership.”

He proposed that, in line with the 2018 judgment, the 2014 National Working Committee members will oversee a comprehensive convention aimed at reconciling all factions and uniting the party. Okafor described his intervention as a crucial resolution to the ongoing legal battles within the LP.

In response, LP's National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed Okafor's claims as unfounded. He emphasized that Julius Abure remains the legitimate National Chairman, supported by multiple court rulings.

“We are focused on addressing the issues within our party without being distracted by those aiming to undermine us for their own agendas,” Ifoh stated. He urged members to rally behind the legitimate leadership to strengthen the party's position and resolve internal disputes.

As the LP continues to navigate this tumultuous period, the party's leadership and its members face the challenge of addressing these internal conflicts while maintaining focus on their political objectives.