Labour Party clears air on campaign council list

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP) and the presidential campaign council of Obi/Datti presidential bid have said that  some names in the Campaign council would be corrected and a supplementary list released before the inauguration of the council.  

According to the leadership of the party, also corrected, is the inclusion of NCfront, NLC and TUC members in the Campaign list.

In a communique on Thursday after their NWC meeting, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr Julius Abure said “Labour Party is fully ready, and all parameters to prosecute  the election in 2023 has been put in place.” 

He said “at the moment, we are consolidating the momentum that will help us establish a new Nigeria come may 29th 2023. We also further make it clear that Labour Party enjoys a roburst relationship with the new Campaign Council.”

The communique further stated, “The expanded NWC reaffirms that the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure is a diligent administrator and the effect of his expertise is felt by every members of the Party and therefore urge him to continue with the good work of leading the Party to victory come 2023.

“The party reiterates its commitment to gender, youth and social inclusion in all facets of it political aspects and operations.”

There was disagreement when the Director General (DG) of the Obi/Datti campaign announced the list of 1,234 names for the presidential campaign council.

According to Abure, after an expanded meeting, they have made an amendment in the council’s list adding that both the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress were were erroneously included in the list.

“The Labour Party endorsed the presidential campaign council list, but some names are missing while others were erroneously included. 

“We will soon release the supplementary list because the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Festus Osifo were erroneously included. An amended list will be issued before the campaign starts. 

“The list is our list and the people included are all our members,” Abure said. 

On attacks on their members across the country, Abure called on the National Peace Commission (NPC) chaired by former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar,  to go beyond signing peace accord. 

“We are calling on the national peace commission to rise against attacks on labour party members. It should not just end at signing peace agreements, but the National Peace Commission should ensure defaulters are prosecuted,” Abure said. 

Abure, who also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to distribute the Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) to Nigerians, said people whose cards are ready should get them. 

“It is the right of the citizens to have their PCVs, it is their right to get them. They should collect the PVCs so that they can exercise their franchise,” Abure added.