LP sets up disciplinary committee to enforce party’s constitution

The Labour Party (LP) has set up a seven-member disciplinary standing committee to enforce the provisions of the party’s constitution.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Julius Abure, the national chairman of LP, said the committee was constituted at a meeting of the national working committee (NWC) of the party.

“All party members are under obligation to respect the integrity and dignity of the party and its leadership,” Abure said.

“The national leadership will not hesitate to discipline any member who is not ready to obey the constitution of the party and obey directives.”

Members of the committee include Kehinde Edun, Clement Ojukwu, Ayo Olorunfemi, Dudu Manuga, Callistus Ihejiagwa, Raji Mohammed, and Umar Ibrahim.

In a communiqué, the leadership of LP said a statement credited to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the tenure of the national executives of the party has expired is “mischievous”.

“The NWC noted that the national convention of the party held on the 27th of March, 2024, has been validated by a court of competent jurisdiction on the 16th day of June, 2024, when it held that issues of leadership, conduct of congresses, and convention are internal affairs of a political party,” the communiqué reads.

“The judge determined issues of notices, how the convention was held, and delegates, amongst others, were determined by the court, which upheld the national convention of the party.

“For anybody to say that there was a vacuum in the leadership of the party is not only mischievous but a deliberate attempt to cause panic and chaos and to disrupt the smooth working of our party.

“The NWC in session notes that section 83(1)(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides also that the Commission shall keep records of the activities of all registered political parties.

“The commission may seek information or clarification from any registered political party in connection with any activities of the political party which may be contrary to the provisions of the constitution or any other law, guideline, rules, or regulations made pursuant to an Act of the national assembly.’

“Therefore, for any person or agency to begin to instigate members of the party from the back door that the tenures of the executives have expired is tantamount to being unprofessional and mischievous.

“We must also state that government business is not conducted verbally. It is done in official communication through writing and correspondence. So, we must await any communication by INEC.”