Labour Party Undergoes Transition, Denies Being in Crisis
The Labour Party, a major player in Nigeria’s political scene, is undergoing a transition to reposition its structure, according to its Vice Presidential Candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed clarified that the party is not embroiled in a crisis, as reported by the media.
The former Federal lawmaker explained that the contentious caretaker committee, which has sparked controversy and conflict with the party leadership, was inaugurated because the tenure of the Julius Abure-led committee had elapsed. Baba-Ahmed also absolved former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti of any blame, stressing that the decision to appoint a caretaker committee was constitutional and taken to ensure the party’s continued relevance.
“We didn’t have a crisis. We managed a transition, which was a bit bumpy, and that was it,” Baba-Ahmed said. “I tell you, no other political party of our size could have done that in the time and manner we did. We are a political party that went all the way to the Supreme Court, claiming our 10 million votes. They only gave us six million votes. So we are a force to be reckoned with in Africa. What we’ve done has never been done before.”
Baba-Ahmed appealed to Abure and members of his National Working Committee to work in unity with the newly installed committee to rebuild the party. He also extended an olive branch to former members of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee, inviting them to join the party and continue building it.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, has assured members of the Labour Party of her team’s determination to rescue the party from its current challenges and restore it as a viable alternative platform for Nigerians. Usman promised that her team would lead the party towards reconciliation within the short time of their designated assignment.
The Labour Party’s efforts to reposition itself come at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is undergoing significant changes. With the interest generated by the caretaker committee extending beyond party lines, the party’s ability to overcome its challenges and emerge stronger will be crucial in shaping the country’s political future.