Politics

Fresh Crisis Brews In Labour Party As New National Chairman Emerges

Published

2 years ago

July 27, 2024

Editor

The crisis in the Labour Party, LP, has taken a new twist as a Former Deputy National Chairman, Callistus Okafor, has laid claim to the National Chairmanship position.

Okafor, in a news conference in Abuja, on Friday, said his decision to “take over” the party was supported by a 2018 consent judgment of the federal high court which according to him was ignored.

He pointed out that at the time, there was a leadership tussle between the late national chairman of the party, Abdulkadir Salam and another faction led by Salisu Mohammed, who equally declared himself as national caretaker chair of the party.

The judge handling the dispute, Gabriel Kolawole, in the consent verdict, held that the separate national conventions held by both parties to the dispute were “inclusive”.

Okafor contended that because the court ruling was not obeyed, Julius Abure inherited and built on this faulty structure to become the national chairman.

According to him, as things stand today, he as a member of the then National Working Committee as well as others along with him are beneficiaries of the 2018 judgment.

“The owner of the house has taken the house. When I mean owner, I am not contesting Labour Party leadership with NLC, no.”

“I’m talking about the process. The midwife of this process (fresh convention).

“The 2014 convention is the right avenue to midwife it. For that reason, Callistus Okafor is now the acting chairman of the Labour Party.

“Sequel to the above development, members of the 2014 National Working Committee who are beneficiaries of the consent judgment have agreed to midwife an all-inclusive and expansive convention in compliance with the Consent Judgment delivered by Hon Justice G.O. Kolawole, and further agreed to within six months embark on a purposeful reconciliation of all aggrieved members and groups to achieve a united, focused Labour Party that will redefine political leadership in Nigeria’s quest for a better nation.”

He added that his intervention is “a pivotal resolution of the long-drawn legal battle for the soul of the Labour Party.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, when contacted, dismissed Okafor’s claims.

He said, “We don’t need to look any further than those who have sworn to destroy our party in their calculations for 2027.

“Julius Abure is the legitimate National Chairman of our great party. There are several Court judgements that support this position. We will not reduce ourselves to relying on those who have been hired to distract us.”

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.