The protracted leadership crisis in the Labour Party (LP) lingers on as the National Caretaker Committee of the party under the leadership of Senator Nenadi Esther Usman has set up a six-member disciplinary committee to investigate allegations of corruption and anti-party activities against the party’s embattled national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure.
Usman at a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja said the party was tired of the antics of Abure as the former LP Chairman, whom he said had become an impostor in the party.
The latest development comes days after the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) also set up a disciplinary committee to investigate Alex Otti, the Abia governor, over alleged anti-party activities.
“Under Article 19 of the Labour Party Constitution (1999 as amended), and in response to serious allegations of corruption, financial misconduct, and anti-party activities, the NEC hereby constitutes a disciplinary committee to investigate Barrister Julius Abure and recommend appropriate sanctions.
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“Members of the Disciplinary Committee: Senator Ireti Kingibe (Chairman), High Chief Peter Ameh (Secretary) other members are: Kumba Mbemba, Hon. Okejo Onwakalusi, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulkarim and a former acting National Chairman of the party, Mrs. Maria Lebeke,” she said.
The committee which was given 21 days to submit its report, was charged with the task of investigating the allegations as well as evidence brought before it and to ensure that the all parties were given fair hearing.
The former minister of finance also said that contrary to the deliberate attempt by Abure and his “co-travellers,” the party under her leadership had taken steps to restore confidence to the party.
Usman said that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) under her leadership had queried Abure, giving him 24 hours to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his anti-party activities.
She said that instead of Abure to be denigrating the party and its leaders, he should use his time to address the various allegations of corruption and forgery against him.
Usman also accused Abure of hijacking party structures by refusing to conduct congresses at the ward, local government, state and zonal levels ahead of the national convention.
She said the caretaker team would restore internal democracy in the party and release a timetable for proper congresses and elections.
The party has remained in crisis, with both factions citing the April 4 Supreme Court judgment as justification for their claims to the LP leadership.
While Abure’s camp says the judgment validated his position, the caretaker committee insists it confirms that his tenure has expired as validated by the Apex Court.
