Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a protest on Wednesday, picketing the headquarters of the Labour Party (LP) in the Utako area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Led by Theophilus Ndubuaku, acting Chairman of the NLC’s Political Commission, the union members demanded the immediate resignation of Julius Abure as the national chairman of the party, alleging that his election was improper.
Ndubuaku claimed that the planned convention of the party, scheduled to be held in Umuahia, Abia State, on March 27, is illegal and aimed at re-electing Abure as the party’s sole administrator.
The NLC is calling for the formation of a caretaker transition committee to organize a legitimate and inclusive national convention.
While no party officials were present at the headquarters, police officers were stationed to prevent vandalism.
The union members, chanting songs against Abure, accused him of embezzling funds.
In response, the Labour Party released a statement opposing the NLC’s directive, alleging that it was driven by personal ambitions, particularly that of Ajaero, who aspires to become the next national chairman. The LP denied financial impropriety and welcomed a forensic audit of its accounts.
The LP criticized the NLC’s focus on internal party affairs instead of defending workers’ rights, pointing out the disparity between minimum wage and the cost of living.