Labour: Between congress and party

The subterranean moves to take over the Labour Party LP by the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, may not be unconnected with recent skirmishes in the party where a few aggrieved members were said to have allegedly organised a questionable national convention to topple the national chairman. The attempted plot however failed with INEC […]

The subterranean moves to take over the Labour Party LP by the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, may not be unconnected with recent skirmishes in the party where a few aggrieved members were said to have allegedly organised a questionable national convention to topple the national chairman.

The attempted plot however failed with INEC rebuttal of any leadership crisis in the party, insisting that it recognised  Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam as the authentic National Chairman of the party.

The President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in his May Day speech had declared that the NLC is the owner of the party and shall dissolve wards, local government, and state executive structures of the party.

The current intrigue in the party might lead to a point where the organised labour will need to reorganise it to such a formidable front that would be used as platform for the nation’s workforce to have a common voice to either to go it alone or through affiliation with other parties to make a bold statement during the 2019 presidential elections.

We are informed authoritatively that the NLC acting through its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba have perfected plans to convene meetings of the organs of the party and thereafter, mobilize thugs and hoodlums to forcefully take over the National Secretariat.

 This is not the first time the NLC will be embarking on such a journey, recall how during the National Convention of the Party held in Akure in 2014, the NLC set up a caretaker committee but failed in an attempt to legitimize it.

Worried by the unfolding development, the leadership of the Labour Party, LP, has therefore petitioned the Chairman of Independent National electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, urging him to call the NLC president to order.  

Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) prohibits any association from contributing to the funds of any political party.

It is a criminal offence under section 15 of the Trade Union Act to use Trade Unions Funds whether directly or indirectly to fund a political party.”

NLC has nothing to do with administration of the party, and once a political party is registered by INEC it becomes a body corporate with a perpetual succession and a common seal.

 Section 80 of the Electoral Act (as amended) states that “a political party once registered has a life of its own and it’s only regulated by its constitution.

Gbolahan Abdulgafar, 17, Koleoso Crescent, Gwarinpa, Abuja