Labour Party: Tanko, Obiora Ifoh clash over Peter Obi’s meeting with Julius Abure...For More CONTINUE THE FULL READING▶▶
The campaign team of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has clarified the purpose of his visit to Julius Abure in Abuja on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
The visit was a reconciliation effort, not an endorsement as speculated, according to Obi’s campaign spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, in a statement released on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Tanko also noted that Obi met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) political arm early on Wednesday to seek a resolution to their conflict with the party.
The former governor of Anambra was received by the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, and members of his National Working Committee (NWC).
Following the meeting, rumors circulated that it was an endorsement of the embattled leader of the party and his NWC members after the contentious national convention that reinstated them.
However, Tanko refuted these claims, emphasizing that the visit was for reconciliation.
PUNCH quoted him: “Obi’s visit to the Labour Party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday was a reconciliatory move, not to endorse any group’s interest within the party. Obi has consistently stated that his aim is to unite everyone into one strong family, not to endorse any particular interest.
“The visit is part of Obi’s ongoing consultations to foster peace within the party. In this vein, he also met with the political arm of the NLC and TUC on Wednesday to continue his pursuit of harmony within the party.
“At his meeting with the workers’ union, the leadership of the NLC/TUC political commission, led by Comrade Titus Amba and Comrade Chris Uyot, also expressed their commitment to peace within the party. Obi stressed the need for reconciliation of all positions in a peaceful atmosphere to create a united and inclusive party.
“He expressed gratitude to the political commission’s leadership for their understanding and anticipated a positive working relationship soon. The LP standard-bearer also plans to meet with other key stakeholders, including the Obidient movement, to form a united political family with a shared goal of rescuing Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Tanko’s statement was not well-received by the Abure-led NWC, prompting them to issue a counter-statement.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, cautioned Tanko against misrepresenting the ‘well-intentioned’ visit of their presidential candidate.
Ifoh affirmed that both Obi and Abure are aligned on the reconciliation of aggrieved members and stakeholders of the party.
He stated: “As a party, we are gratified that our leader has chosen to reconcile all aggrieved members and stakeholders. This commendable step by Mr. Obi aligns with the plea made by Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure during his maiden press conference last week, where he called on all factions, including the NLC, to join the party’s rebuilding efforts.
“Obi’s visit and speech at the FCT solidarity rally on Tuesday have been interpreted by some as an endorsement of the Abure leadership, especially since it was his first visit following the party’s successful national convention in March. We value this visit, regardless of how it is labeled, as it signifies a positive development for the party.
“We are confident that the reconciliation efforts will soon culminate in a political force capable of liberating Nigerians from the current maladministration.
“Finally, we encourage the NLC and its political commission to see us as allies, not adversaries, in the struggle to rescue Nigeria. They should follow the example of the Trade Union Congress, which has demonstrated a greater understanding and readiness to collaborate with the party in our quest to create a new Nigeria.”...Continue The Full Reading.>’.
