The Labour Party (LP) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to its 2023 Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, demanding they withdraw their notice of a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The party asserts that neither Obi nor Otti possesses the authority to convene such a meeting on behalf of the party.
The dispute arose after Governor Otti announced a stakeholder meeting of the party’s NEC, scheduled to take place on September 4 at the Government House in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State. In response, the Labour Party, through a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, condemned the move as unconstitutional, stating that only duly authorized party officials can convene a NEC meeting.
The party’s leadership emphasized that adherence to its constitution and internal procedures is crucial for maintaining order and legitimacy within the party. They cautioned that any attempt to bypass these established processes could lead to further internal strife and legal challenges.
“The attention of leadership of Labour Party National Working Committee under the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure and National Secretary Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim has been drawn to a purported unconstitutional, illegal clandestine Labour Party extended stakeholders /National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Labour Party convene and signed by Mr Peter Obi as National Chairman and Governor Alex Oti as National Secretary,” the statement read.
The Labour Party further called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate Obi and Otti for their alleged unconstitutional actions. The party’s statement cited Section 484 of the Criminal Code Act, which defines impersonation as a felony punishable by imprisonment.
“Labour Party is therefore calling on the Inspector General of Police to launch a massive investigation against the duo of Mr Peter Obi and Gov Alex Oti for their unconstitutional involvement in the impersonation of the office of Labour Party National Chairman and National Secretary, despite their long political standings and education,” the statement continued.
The party emphasized that Obi and Otti’s actions are a violation of its constitution, which designates specific roles and responsibilities to its National Chairman and National Secretary. The constitution outlines that only the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, and the National Secretary, Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim, have the authority to issue notices for NEC meetings and oversee party operations.
“Labour Party hereby as a matter of urgency urges the duo of Mr Peter Obi and Gov Alex Oti to always get themselves acquainted with the Constitution of our party before taking decisions that is not only ultra vires, irresponsible, unconstitutional but absolutely unpardonable and a national disgrace,” the statement added.
The Labour Party has demanded that Obi and Otti cancel the unauthorized meeting within 72 hours. Failure to comply will result in the party filing a formal petition with the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services for fraud, impersonation, and actions likely to disturb public peace.
