As the party grapples with a leadership crisis, the Comrade Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party (LP), has slammed its members in the House of Representatives for allegedly making disparaging remarks against the party leadership over the scheduled national convention of the party.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement in Abuja, on Monday, said members of the party in the House who were supposed to be its worthy ambassadors have failed to live up to expectations.
The party leadership frowned at the House caucus for being quick to rush to the media each time there was an in-house issue which ordinarily can be sorted out within.
According to him, the statement made by the LP caucus leader in the House, Hon Afam Ogene to the effect that it was unconventional to conduct the party’s convention before state, local government and ward congresses was at variance with the true position of the party constitution.
Ifoh said, “By this statement from Hon. Ogene, it is pertinent to point out that he is very unknowledgeable as it relates to the provision of the constitution of the party under which he was elected.
“We had expected, even though he is coming from the background of PDP and APC, he should not mistake the APC and PDP constitutions to that of the Labour Party. We would like to educate him to note that as the other parties’ constitutions are different so is the Labour Party.
“In line with Article 15:1-4 of our party constitution, there is no equality of tenure. While the Ward, local government and state executives have three years’ tenure, the national executive has four years’ tenure.
“As at the moment, party executives in over sixteen states are subsisting because they have conducted their congresses. We had expected Hon. Ogene read the constitution of the party before making public comments against the party.
“The leader of the caucus is the alter ego of the party who should defend party policy and programs in the national assembly. And for him to say that the House of Representatives caucus was not informed about the convention is clearly mischief taken too far.
“For the record, the House of Representatives through the caucus leader was duly informed about the coming convention.
“We are aghast at the kind of politics Hon. Ogene has chosen to play. It is therefore very unhealthy for him to rush to the press to misinform our members.
“We had expected him to be a liaison between the party leadership and the national assembly and as a leader he claims to be to help in ensuring that peace reigns in the party at all times.
“We are also shocked that members of the House of Representatives elected under the Labour Party are always quick to rush to the media whenever we make major decisions.
“This is against the background that they have never risen to the occasion as members of the Labour Party in the House who are supposed to be the voice of the people and speak truth to power, in spite of the numerous challenges the country is going through.
“Again, considering the sacrifices made by Nigerians in electing these Labour Party legislators, we expected them to be Ambassadors of the People.
“It appears that they seat at the national assembly for themselves alone. It is obvious that it is only when it concerns the party that they flex their muscles.
“They need not be told of the persecution the party leadership has been undergoing in the hands of the government in power as a result of their election into office and yet, they have no qualms in bringing the party to opprobrium at any given opportunity.
“We therefore advice our lawmakers to desist from rushing to the press on party matters. Party internal matters must remain and kept internal matters.
“The party will not hesitate to discipline any party member who will not respect the supremacy of the party. The party is prepared to defend its ideology and constitution at all times irrespective of whose ox is gored.
“We want to assure our party members that the leadership is continuing with our consultations with stakeholders at all levels to ensure that a free, fair, and rancor-free convention is held.”
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