By Seyi Babalola
The Labour Party’s (LP) National Chairman, Julius Abure, said on Wednesday that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, endorsed the party’s National Convention.
Despite the controversies surrounding the National Convention, Abure stated that Obi supported it in one way or another.
Addressing a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Abure commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for his support for the convention.
LP Board of Trustees, BoT, had rejected the party’s National Convention that saw the re-emergence of Abure as National Chairman.
However, Abure said: “When we say that the Labour Party is different, this is one aspect that makes us different from all other Political Parties. In our party, organs like the NWC, NEC and the Convention make decisions irrespective of the desire of the political leaders. I therefore want to thank all our supporters who stood by us during the National Convention and, by so doing, promoted the Principle of Party Supremacy.
“We also seize this opportunity to appreciate the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti who supported the National Convention. It must be noted that all delegates from the state, including the Deputy Governor, Commissioners, State Legislators, Advisers and all other appointees who were delegates, were present at the Convention. I especially thank the Deputy Governor Eng. Ikechukwu Emetu for representing his boss and leading other members of the State Executive Council to the Convention.
“We thank the Deputy Minority Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. George Ozordinobi, who led the delegation of the National Assembly to the Convention. We thank Hon. Chinedu Obika, Hon. Esosa Iyawe, Hon. Murphy Omoruyi, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, Hon. Etanabene Benedict, Hon. Prof Osimnachi, and Hon. Matthew Nwogu. We also appreciate some of our State Assembly members from Enugu, Anambra and Imo states who were present, including Hon. Clinton Amadi, the Deputy Minority Minority Leader, Imo State House of Assembly. Special appreciation goes to the Most Distinguished Senator (Dr) Tony Nwoye, who never pretended his support for the Convention to be held as planned. Even though he was not physically present due to national assignment, his impact was overwhelming.
“We are also using this opportunity to appreciate some OBIDIENT members who understood the issues clearly and then supported the Convention and its outcome. We appreciate our national leader, Peter Gregory Obi, who, in one way or another, gave his support.
“Peter Obi’s position is clearly understood. His situation is similar to that of a man who is married to about four wives and expected to protect the interests of all the wives and the children. Hence, we appreciate him for his tactfulness.”
