The Labour Party (LP) faces fresh turmoil as former Deputy National Chairman, Callistus Okafor, asserts his claim to the National Chairmanship position. In a news conference held in Abuja on Friday, Okafor declared his intention to “take over” the party, citing a 2018 consent judgment by the federal high court, which he claims was disregarded.
Okafor explained that the leadership struggle dates back to a dispute between the late National Chairman, Abdulkadir Salam, and a rival faction led by Salisu Mohammed, who also declared himself the national caretaker chair of the party. The presiding judge, Gabriel Kolawole, in his verdict, stated that the separate national conventions held by both factions were “inclusive.”
According to Okafor, Julius Abure’s current chairmanship is built on this unresolved foundation. He argues that as a member of the then National Working Committee and a beneficiary of the 2018 judgment, he is entitled to the chairmanship.
“The owner of the house has taken the house,” Okafor stated. “When I mean owner, I am not contesting Labour Party leadership with NLC, no. I’m talking about the process. The midwife of this process (fresh convention). The 2014 convention is the right avenue to midwife it. For that reason, Callistus Okafor is now the acting chairman of the Labour Party.”
Okafor announced plans to convene an inclusive and expansive convention, in line with the 2018 consent judgment, to reconcile all aggrieved members and unify the party. He emphasized that this intervention is crucial for resolving the prolonged legal battle and redefining political leadership within the Labour Party.
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However, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed Okafor’s assertions. “We don’t need to look any further than those who have sworn to destroy our party in their calculations for 2027,” Ifoh said. “Julius Abure is the legitimate National Chairman of our great party. There are several Court judgements that support this position. We will not reduce ourselves to relying on those who have been hired to distract us.”
As the Labour Party navigates this internal conflict, the legitimacy of its leadership remains contested, with both sides citing legal judgments to support their claims. The unfolding events will likely shape the party’s future direction and its role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
