The Labour Party (LP) has issued a stern warning to Callistus Okafor, who has declared himself the National Chairman of the party, cautioning him against risking imprisonment for contempt of court.
Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, addressed the issue on Friday in Abuja, responding to Okafor’s recent claim to the chairmanship.
Okafor had earlier held a news conference, asserting his participation in the Labour Party’s 2014 National Convention and subsequently declaring himself the National Chairman.
Ifoh responded by stating, “This latest development is coming after the judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which recently validated the Nnewi Convention of the Labour Party that produced a new set of executives led by Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman.”
He further remarked, “We wish to state clearly that Callistus Okafor could pass as a dramatist who chose to dance to the gallery and entertain people. We seriously don’t know who is playing the drums for this erstwhile member of the party, even after two successful National Conventions have been held and the party has since moved far beyond his imagination.”
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Ifoh reminded Nigerians of Okafor’s previous attempt in 2021 to claim the party’s chairmanship, which ended in failure at both the High Court and the Appeal Court. “The Court of Appeal held clearly that Callistus Okafor cannot use the Consent Judgement to make himself the national chairman of the Labour Party. In fact, the court reprimanded him and dismissed his suit with substantial cost, which he is yet to meet till present.”
Expressing the party’s surprise and disappointment, Ifoh concluded, “We are rather shocked and surprised that the same Okafor has come up again, going against the Court of Appeal decision.”
