Labour Party Chairman Julius Abure Calls for Unity, Reconciliation with Peter Obi

Julius Abure, Labour Party Chairman, seeks to reunite the party by calling on Peter Obi and other dissident leaders to rejoin and work towards a common goal.

Julius Abure, National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has extended an olive branch to key party figures, including 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti. He urged them to return to the party and work together for unity and progress.

Abure made this appeal in an exclusive interview on Saturday, November 30, amidst months of tension within the party. His call for unity comes after a contentious period, marked by disagreements over his reelection and the legitimacy of the Nnewi convention that reinstated him.

In response to the grievances within the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Alex Otti, and other party members established a 29-person caretaker committee in July, headed by former Finance Minister Nnenadi Usman. This committee aimed to oversee a more inclusive election process to elect new executives at various levels within the party.

Despite the disagreements, Julius Abure has maintained his leadership position, particularly after a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja affirmed his legitimacy as the Labour Party's national chairman. Following this victory, Abure has been working to rebuild trust and reconcile with the party's factions. He has even called for unity, urging Peter Obi and other aggrieved members to return to the party.

Abure's efforts to reunite the party come after a period of tension, which led to the formation of the caretaker committee. The committee's goal was to address concerns over the party's leadership and ensure a more inclusive election process. Despite these challenges, Abure remains committed to rebuilding the party and moving forward.

Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, has downplayed claims of a crisis within the party. He maintains that the court's decision has brought unity and momentum to the party, allowing it to move forward.

“I want to say there is no more crisis In the party. The court has said there is only one leader in LP. And if there is a dispute in the country or anywhere, the only place you can go for reprieve is the court. It was said that our national convention didn't follow due process. That was why people went to court,” Abure said.

“INEC said we didn't follow due process and we went to court. The court said the convention was in line with the party constitution, electoral act and the constitution of the land. INEC has since obeyed it and we are working very closely with the commission.

“All those who feel offended should come back to the party. We have forgiven all those who perceived they had done us one thing or the other. I am not angry. We have put it behind us and LP is one big family,” He added.

Julius Abure, the Labour Party chairman, has expressed deep concern about the severe hardships Nigerians are currently facing. He notes that these challenges can't be blamed solely on the leadership, emphasizing the complex nature of the issues affecting the populace. Abure advocates for a collective approach to finding solutions, stressing the need for unity in addressing the country's problems.

Abure also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive electoral reforms to address the persistent issues in Nigeria's electoral process. He believes these reforms are crucial in ensuring the selection of capable and effective leaders who can bring about meaningful change in the country. By implementing these reforms, Nigeria can move closer to having a more transparent and credible electoral system.

The need for electoral reforms in Nigeria is evident, given the controversies surrounding recent elections. The judiciary's decisions have often been criticized for prioritizing formalism over the need for transparency and reforms. Abure's call for comprehensive electoral reforms is a step in the right direction, as it acknowledges the complexities of Nigeria's electoral challenges and the need for collective action to address them.

“Our country today is at a crossroads. It is a time for all of us to do a sober reflection. The problem is not just down to leadership. It also involves the followership.

“We need our mindset and philosophy for the Labour Party to drive a change. Electoral reform is a programme we must pursue to have leaders with dignity and integrity and drive developments in the country,” he added.