Union Delays Labour Party Offices Seizure, Citing INEC and Supreme Court Studies
Temporary Pause in Strategies to Infiltrate Labour Party Headquarters - NLC Announcement
In a recent interview with The PUNCH, the acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, clarified the delay in the planned nationwide Labour Party (LP) offices takeover by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This postponement follows the NLC President, Joe Ajaero's April 9 directive to unionists for the seizure of party offices, which was a response to the Supreme Court's ruling in a leadership tussle within the LP.
Nearly a month has passed since Joe Ajaero issued the order, and now, Prof. Ndubuaku explains that the NLC is allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) time to fully examine the Supreme Court's verdict. According to Ndubuaku, the NLC is merely showing patience for official INEC comments on the matter.
"We are giving INEC the required time to respond formally to the court ruling," Ndubuaku stated. "This is a straightforward judgment from the Supreme Court, and no matter how Abure chooses to interpret it, we have taken the necessary steps*."
He emphasized that the action had not been abandoned but rather postponed in favor of due process.
"We understand that this isn’t just a Nigerian issue. The global community is also watching how INEC handles this situation," Ndubuaku said. "There seems to be some confusion, as INEC is still studying the court judgment. We have yet to determine the length of time it will take them to scrutinize a Supreme Court judgment for the sake of upholding democratic standards*."
LP Accuses NLC of Intimidation
Since the planned invasion was announced, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, has accused the NLC of blackmail, describing the move as an attempt to make the Abure-led leadership look dishonorable before INEC and security agencies.
Ifoh also denounced what he called "hooliganism and rascality" by some unionists, warning that such behavior should not be mistaken for genuine unionism. Despite the back-and-forth, the NLC maintains that it is acting within the guidelines established by the Supreme Court's ruling and will persist in protecting democratic principles.
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[1] Buhari's Labour Party Leadership Crisis[2] Nigerian Workers Union Declares War on LP Leadership[3] Supreme Court Upholds Labour Party's Leadership Struggle[4] NLC Mobilizes Members for Nationwide LP Offices Takeover[5] Labour Party Accuses NLC of Blackmail in Attempted Takeover of Party Offices
- In the midst of the ongoing Labour Party (LP) offices takeover delay by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, has clarified the postponement, citing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Supreme Court studies.
- The NLC has decided to allow INEC time to examine the Supreme Court's verdict in the LP leadership tussle, emphasizing the importance of official comments from INEC in the situation.
- Ndubuaka stated, "We are giving INEC the required time to respond formally to the court ruling," expressing patience for the commission's response.
- The NLC maintains that the action has not been abandoned but delayed, emphasizing that it is acting within the guidelines established by the Supreme Court's ruling and upholding democratic standards.
- In the midst of accusations of blackmail and intimidation by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, the NLC persists, insisting it is acting within the law and upholding democratic principles.
