Labour Party Crises Linger as Veterans Call For Financial Scrutiny Under Julius Abure, Others

In a recent gathering in Lagos State, members of the Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists’ Assembly voiced their concerns over the current state of affairs within the Labour Party, particularly targeting the party’s financial management under Julius Abure.

Labeling the situation as a “democratic violation,” the group expressed dismay over what they perceive as the chairman’s authoritarian leadership style.

Comrade Isah Tijjani, speaking for the group and bringing to the table his experience as a former Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and a one-time presidential candidate for the Labour Party, criticized Abure’s governance. He accused the chairman of bypassing critical party and political stakeholders, violating the party’s constitution, and ignoring the rulings of a Consent Judgment which mandated an all-inclusive national convention.

The assembly highlighted Abure’s tactics to maintain control, which include fabricating stories for sympathy and support, thus undermining the essence of democratic principles and human decency. Tijjani specifically pointed out an event in Nnewi, Anambra State, where despite the absence of INEC’s endorsement and poor organization, Abure was reportedly acclaimed as the leader once more—a move the assembly outright rejects.

Moreover, the veterans expressed their disturbance over recent reports concerning an assassination attempt on Abure and a fire incident at his family’s Abuja residence, offering their sympathies for the personal hardships faced. Yet, they firmly maintain that these events should not detract from the necessity of a rigorous audit of the party’s finances.

The group stands firm on their call for a forensic examination to ensure transparency and accountability within the party’s financial affairs, asserting the illegitimacy of the Nnewi convention and the expiration of the chairman and the National Working Committee’s (NWC) terms.