The extended stateholders of the Labour Party has constituted a 29-member caretaker committee headed by former Minister of State, Finance, Nenadi Esther Usman to run the affairs of the party for three months leading to its national convention.
The 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the party in Plateau State, Edward Pwajok disclosed this while reading a 5-point communique issued by the stakeholders at the end of its meeting in Umuahia, Abia State capital.
Chairman of the party, Julius Abure was absent at the meeting which was called at the instance of the state governor, Alex Otti and chaired by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Pwajok said the committee, which has Darlington Nwokocha as secretary is to ensure that wards, local government, state congresses, and the convention are conducted according to the constitution of the party.
He noted that other members of the committee are from the Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, former governors and members of both state and national assemblies.
Pwajok added that the stateholders commended the governor for his performance in office and urged him to continue in the direction he has charted.
In his address, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, extolled the governor for his efforts at repositioning the party as well as convening the meeting when it mattered most.
“We are not here to suspend or sack anybody, but to rebuild the party. Whatever we are going to do in future, everybody is free to participate in it and nobody will be excluded,” Obi noted.
Adding, “Even after this meeting, we will continue with more consultations and reconciliation. In going forward, let everybody learn to sacrifice. Even the committee will have to abide by the law.”
Similarly, the senator representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, Victor Umeh, said allowing the former leadership of the party to continue was like building on quick sand, saying nobody is against anybody.
“What brought us here is doctrine of necessity. Our party is currently ruderless and once your party is not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission you will be wasting your time,” he said.
In his remarks early, Governor Otti said the meeting became necessary to resolve both internal and lingering issues around the leadership of the party before they escalate.
He cited a recent occasion when the INEC failed to invite the party to an event due to non-recognition of its leadership following a court judgement.
Responding on behalf of other members of the committee, Usman, a former Kaduna State senator, said they had been saddled with a huge responsibility, assuring that the committee will deliver as expected.