Protesters affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a demonstration today, Wednesday, at the National Headquarters of the Labour Party (LP), demanding the immediate removal of the National Chairman, Comrade Julius Abure.
The main entrance to the headquarters was barricaded by the demonstrators, who were denied entry by armed regular policemen stationed at the premises.
Despite being barred from accessing the building, the protesters maintained a largely peaceful demeanor, chanting solidarity songs and calling for an end to what they termed “Abure’s reign of corruption tyranny.”
The NLC leadership accuses Abure of orchestrating plans for an “illegal convention,” allegedly aimed at perpetuating his rule or appointing cronies to act on his behalf.
This move has sparked discontent within the ranks of the Labour Party, with both the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the NLC and the House of Representatives Caucus of the LP expressing reservations about the planned convention date.
Organized Labour, a significant power bloc within the party, has called for Abure’s immediate resignation to facilitate an impartial audit into the party’s finances.
These demands stem from allegations of financial misconduct leveled against Abure by the former National Treasurer.
In response, the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party has accused Joe Ajaero of harboring ambitions to replace Abure as National Chairman.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party leadership advised Ajaero to step down from his position as NLC president before seeking leadership roles within the LP.
The ongoing standoff between the NLC and the LP underscores growing tensions within the party, highlighting the need for internal reforms and transparency to restore trust and unity among its members.