Otti plots LP’s future after victory of Nenadi-Usman leadership

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Abia governor, Alex Otti, has insisted that the Labour Party is not considering joining the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Otti said this while announcing that the party will commence nationwide congresses from March as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s internal structures and reposition it ahead of future elections.

He spoke against the background of the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja recognizing the executive of his faction of the party led by Sen. Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leadership of the party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had uploaded the names of Usman’s names and those of her team on its portal, with a note: “by order of court.”

Otti who was addressing key stakeholders, including members of the party’s Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee (NWC) and leaders of organised labour on Sunday in Abuja described Labour Party as a coalition already and has no plan to join any other coalition.

“INEC has been notified that very soon the congresses will happen. The national convention will also take place. A committee has been set up for the revalidation of members and the registration of new members, and very soon that will be in effect,” the governor said.

Governor Otti also expressed regret over the exit of the party’s former leader and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while wishing him well in his future endeavours.

He also noted that some members of the National Assembly had left the party.

But he stressed that the Labour Party remains committed to rebuilding and emerging stronger.

“We regret the exit of the former leader of the party, the former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi. While we regret it, I wish him well.”

Otti described the engagement as successful, noting that discussions focused on the organisation of congresses from the ward level to the national convention, validation of party membership and registration of new members.

He said that a committee had been set up to oversee the membership validation process, while preparations were underway for a national convention that would pave way for the party’s progress.

Otti also expressed happiness over the uploading of the names of the party’s NWC leaders on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website.

Addressing recent internal challenges, Otti acknowledged the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and the defection of some National Assembly members and interim national committee officials.

While expressing regret over the development, he, however, said that Labour Party remained strong and committed to resolving its internal issues.

According to him, a reconciliation committee will be constituted to engage aggrieved members who are willing to return and abide by the party’s rules.

Otti said that he had personally appealed to Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and rejoin the party in the interest of unity.

He also disclosed that the party might not participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections due to time constraints, but assured that the party would participate actively in subsequent elections.

Other key party figures who attended the meeting included the LP’s Caretaker Committee chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, as well as representatives of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).