Ex-LP deputy chair ‘takes over party’, moves to conduct convention

Callistus Okafor, a former deputy chair (south) of the Labour Party (LP), says he has taken over the party.

Okafor hinged his declaration on a 2018 consent judgment of the federal high court which he claimed has not been obeyed.

At the time, there was a leadership tussle between late Abdulkadir Salam, a former chair of LP, and a group led by Salisu Mohammed, who had declared himself the national caretaker chair of the party.

In the consent verdict, Gabriel Kolawole, the judge handling the dispute, held that all parties convene an “inclusive” national convention.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Okafor said the convention ordered by the judge was not obeyed and it was on that “faulty structure” Julius Abure became national chair.

The former deputy chair, who was in the national working committee (NWC) with Salam, said he is taking over the party because he and his group are “beneficiaries” of that judgment.

“The owner of the house has taken the house. When I mean owner, I am not contesting Labour Party leadership with NLC, no,” he said.

“I’m talking about the process. The midwifing 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 Labour Party.

“Sequel to the above development, members of the 2014 National Working Committee who are beneficiaries of the consent judgment have agreed to midwife an all-inclusive and expansive convention in compliance with the Consent Judgment delivered by Hon Justice G.O. Kolawole, and further agree to within six months embark on a purposeful reconciliation of all aggrieved members and groups to achieve a united, focused Labour Party that will redefine political leadership in Nigeria’s quest for a better nation.”

Okafor said his intervention is “a pivotal resolution of the long drawn legal battle for the soul of LP”.