The Labour Party (LP) has formed a seven-member Disciplinary Standing Committee to address the behavior of members who fail to adhere to the party’s constitution and directives. The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja by the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure.
This decision was among the resolutions reached during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.
Abure emphasised the importance of all members following the party’s rules and respecting its national leadership and constitution. “All party members are under obligation to respect the integrity and dignity of the party and its leadership,” he stated. He further warned that the party’s national leadership would not hesitate to discipline any member who disobeyed the party’s constitution and directives.
The disciplinary committee is chaired by Kehinde Edun, the National Legal Adviser, and includes Chief Clement Ojukwu, Deputy National Chairman; Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi; Mrs. Dudu Manuga, National Women Leader; Callistus Ihejiagwa, Chairman of the Imo chapter; Alhaji Raji Mohammed, Chairman of the Kano State chapter; and Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, National Secretary, who will serve as the committee’s secretary.
Abure called on party members to collaborate for the common purpose of uplifting the poor, which is a core principle of the Labour Party. He further explained that the committee was established following a communiqué that outlined the NWC’s decisions after a meeting with Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
During the meeting, Governor Otti expressed his intention to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday, August 31st, to dissolve the National, State, Local Government, and Ward Executive Councils, citing the expiration of their tenures. He based his argument on a claim from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the expiration of the current executives’ tenures.
However, the NWC referenced a National Convention held on March 27, 2024, which was validated by a court ruling on June 16, 2024. The court upheld the National Convention of the Party, affirming that issues of leadership, conduct of congresses, and conventions are internal affairs of a political party. The court also addressed matters related to notices, how the convention was conducted, and the legitimacy of the delegates.
Abure criticised any claims suggesting a leadership vacuum within the party, describing them as “mischievous” and a deliberate attempt to create panic, chaos, and disrupt the smooth functioning of the Labour Party.
