By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
The premises of the National Headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), couldn’t contain the multitude of members who came to join the Labour Party’s (LP’s) FCT Caretaker Committee (CTC), under the Chairmanship of Dr Tobias Obiechina, who came on Thursday to officially affirm Senator Esther Nenadi Usman’s national leadership of the party.
This was as a result the Supreme Court’s judgment on April 4, 2025, which nullified the leadership of former Chairman Julius Abure of the party, whose tenure expired on June 8, 2024.
Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku, the Ag Chairman, NLC Political Chairman, in an interview during the event, said that Abure who was outed by the court had never been a hindrance, as the the party had never given him the opportunity.
Adding that those who never wanted the party to move on were the ones sponsoring Abure, Prof Ndubuaku advised members of the party to continue to remain united, so as to continue to enjoy Nigerians’ support.
The FCT LP CTC Chairman, Obiechina and his members expressed delight in Senator Usman’s exceptional capacity and quality, commending her inclusive leadership stance.
Addressing journalists, shortly after the affirmation, the FCT LP CTC Chairman, Dr Tobias Obiechina said that the LP under his Chairmanship, assured members who have come back of equal equal treatment.
He informed that when they were in Obedient Group in the FCT, and came back when the CTC was formed, some people continued to follow Aburi out of ignorance. These people, he has assured of full membership rights, adding that for the party to move forward and deliver the . country, all hands should be in deck.
Senator Usman emphasized the importance of unity within the party, stating, “This is not a time for triumphalism and there is no victor and no vanquished. What matters most is our shared commitment to the ideals and aspirations of the LP and the Nigerian people.”
The committee called on all LP stakeholders, members, and supporters to come together as one indivisible family, steadfast in its mission to create a New Nigeria founded on justice, equity, and people-centered governance.
The committee congratulated LP Leaders Peter Obi and Alex Chioma Otti for their resilience in repositioning the party. They also urged Julius Abure to respect the Supreme Court’s judgment and stop undermining Senator Usman’s leadership, warning that disobeying the judgment could lead to humiliation and conviction.
Senator Nenadi Usman, a former Minister of Finance, was appointed to lead a 29 – member caretaker committee established to oversee the party’s affairs. The Supreme Court’s judgment validated her leadership, describing it as a victory for the rule of law.
