Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State lack the authority to summon a Labour Party stakeholders’ gathering, according to Callistus Okafor, the party’s national factional chairman.
News About Nigeria reports that Okafor said that only he, as the legitimate party executive, can convene such a meeting.
The announcement of the meeting by Otti followed Abure’s advice to Otti to focus on governance and avoid interfering with party administration.
The meeting is scheduled for September 4 at the Abia State government house.
Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, are expected to attend.
Abure presided over a national working committee meeting, issuing a communiqué that Otti sought an emergency meeting to dissolve party executives due to expired tenures.
However, Okafor deemed the NWC meeting illegal, citing Abure’s expired tenure.
A 2018 court judgement mandated an inclusive national convention, which Okafor claims to be a beneficiary of.
Okafor declared that any meeting outside the consent judgement is null and void.
He dismissed Abure’s actions as attempts to manipulate followers, creating a false sense of hope.
Okafor emphasised that only he, as party executive, can approve stakeholders’ meetings.
He accused Obi and Otti of attempting to hijack the party for personal gain.
Okafor highlighted that Abure’s tenure ended on June 27, 2024, and it’s criminal deception for him to claim chairmanship.
He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) rejection of the 2014 Nnewi Convention proves its illegitimacy.
He pledged to reconcile members, conduct inclusive congresses, and hold a national convention for a united LP.
