…Adopts Far Reaching Resolutions

The National Executive Council (NEC) of Labour Party (LP) on Monday 29th March, 2021 elected Barr Julius Abure as the New National Chairman of Labour Party (LP) and Alhaji Umar Farouk as the New National Secretary.

They were elected in Benin City, Edo State, the venue of the NEC meeting.

The newly elected National Chairman was the immediate past National Secretary and the newly elected National Secretary was the immediate past National Vice Chairman North West of Labour Party.

The meeting was attended by the National Working Committee (MWC) members, States Chairmen and Secretaries and other prominent members of the party.

Some resolutions were adopted at the end of the meeting, including a tribute to its late national chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalm (Baraden Paiko) as the NEC in session paid a glowing tribute to the late National Chairman who died on the 29th of December, 2020.

NEC noted that he will be remembered for his steadfastness, doggedness, commitment to the Labour Movement, his service in NUT, NULGE, NLC and finally in the Labour Party where he will remain in the annals of history.

NEC prayed for the reposed, forgiveness of his sins and pledged to remain in constant touch and support of his immediate family.

Also in session, NEC appreciated the National Working Committee, (NWC) and the Acting Chairman for holding forth and calling the meeting of the National Executive Council to do the needful.

Realizing that nature abhors vacuum, following the need for a focused, vibrant, articulate, proactive and result oriented leadership, especially in view of the 2023 general elections, reverted the Acting Chairman to her Position as Deputy National Chairman.

NEC consequently, elected and elevated the National Secretary Barrister Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk the National Vice Chairman North West as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.

This is in line with the principle of Federal character as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended in Article 13(2)B(xvi) of Labour Party Constitution as amended in 2019 which provides as follows “to fill vacant positions in the NWC as they may occur from time to time in between National Conventions”.

As a result of the consequential vacancies, NEC ceded it’s powers to the NWC to fill other vacancies in the NWC within the next three(3) months or call a virtual meeting of NEC to fill the vacancies.

On insecurity in Nigeria, the Labour Party NEC in session reviewed the insecurity in the country which manifests itself in the form of Boko Haram insurgency, kidnappings, murder, herdsmen, armed banditry, armed robbery, etc, and such other crimes and criminalities.

The party noted that the situation has not only made life unbearable for Nigerians in terms of their socioeconomic conditions but have made life shirt, brutish and uncertain.

NEC was therefore compelled to call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to rescue the country from bandits.

The party said government must employ modern technology and change its strategy by evolving a new approach to fighting crimes.

NEC also observed that the government must strive to avoid a situation where it will be perceived as taking side with criminal elements overtly or covertly.

On reforms in the Electoral Process, the Labour Party NEC in session posited that a viable, credible and dependable electoral process will enhance the country’s growth and development.

The party noted that it will create the enabling environment for patriotic, intelligent, result oriented and credible Nigerians to emerge as leaders of the country.

NEC remarked that the country needs such leadership to reposition Nigeria for effective performance.

According to the party, this underscores the importance of comprehensive electoral reforms of our electoral system which begins with the amendment of the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act.

In consequence, NEC urged the National Assembly to put on the toga of patriotism and and take hold of the momentous opportunity of the current amendment to do the needful.

The Labour Party (NEC) stressed that any amendment which does not include the under listed is only an amendment for the political class in Nigeria.

The Labour Party canvassed for “an amendment that will legitimize the use of technology in the Electoral system to wit voters are electronically accredited which will confirm, authenticate and verify a voter; polling unit Election results are published and electronically to INEC website and other platforms and made accessible to members of the public; empower INEC with the power to adopt electronic voting and electronic collation and transmission of Election results.

“Reflect amendments that will ease the participation of the visually impaired persons and other person’s living with disabilities in the Electoral process.

“Include provisions to enhance the participation of Youths and Women

On the incessant hike in the prices of petrol and petroleum products, NEC expressed serious worries over the incessant hikes in the prices of petroleum products which has brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

NEC noted that it “is baffled by the fact government allowed the international price of crude oil to determine the cost of petroleum products in our country where crude oil is in abundant natural resource.

“The Federal Government should learn from other countries of the world where the citizens are allowed to benefit from the available natural resources in their country”, the party stated.

The Labour Party then wondered and found no rational justification for exporting crude oil at a lower price and import petroleum products at a higher cost.

The NEC therefore concluded that “the only way out of the present imbroglio is for the government to revamp existing refineries and prevail on state government to construct modular refinery in every state, supply them with crude oil at a fixed rate for local consumption

“This will be in tandem” with the 1999 constitution which contemplates Nigeria to be a welfare state. See section 14, 16 and 17 of the constitution”.

NEC finally noted that the current policy of allowing market forces, the international price of crude oil to determine the price of Petrol and petroleum products should be jettisoned since it is making life more difficult for Nigerians.

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