…Hails INEC for saving party from political hawks
By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA: The National Chairman of Labour Party, LP, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, has commended the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu for his recognition as authentic national chairman of the party.

Alhaji Abdulsalam, who gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, said the pronouncement by INEC has put to rest antic of some political hawks trying to cause imaginary disaffection within the party hierarchy.

Besides, the Labour Party boss has said the party is one united family, urging any member nursing grievances to pass through due process by approaching the party’s leadership for amicable resolution of such issues.

He said, “My recognition by the national electoral body as the authentic National Chairman of the party is victory for democracy, rule of law and a bold step towards strengthening political parties and deepening tenet of democracy in our dear country.”

It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had recently dispelled reports of alleged leadership change in the Labour Party, LP, saying it recognised only Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam as the authentic National chairman of the party.

The electoral empire, while clearing the air on purported factionalisation in the party by its Secretary Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu,, said no such faction existed in the party.

According to INEC’s letter, entitled, “Re-Impersonation by Dr. Mike Omotosho as Labour Party National Chairman”, the electoral empire said, “Your letter dated January 8, 2018 on the above refers; “Please note that the Commission’s record and publication on its Website has the name of Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam (Baradan Paiko) as the National chairman of Labour Party.

The letter signed by Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the Secretary to the Commission, which copies were made available to newsmen in Abuja, has helped to put an end to the misgivings in some quarters about the imaginary factionalization of the party’s leadership.

This clarification by implication has exposed Mr. Mike Omotosho’s laying claim to the position of the party’s chairmanship as an impostor.

Alhaji Abdulsalam, while commending the Commission, said INEC’s position has once again rekindled the hope of average Nigerian on partisan politics and this will also serve as cautious signal to political desperados in the habits of attempting to hijack party machinery through the back doors.

The Chairman, while describing the purported special convention organised to oust him as illegal and aberration said the rebellion led by a former Abuja Rotary Club Governor; Tayo Omotosho was a slap on democracy, adding, “I commend INEC for nipping in bud irate ambition by these political neophytes”.

He said “Labour Party is a responsible political party with a well articulated constitution guiding its affairs and the process of leadership change well spelt out there. The so called faction on that shameful voyage of illegality is inconsequential members of the party, even though the so called Tayo Omotosho, who led the rebellion, was never a member of Labour Party.”

“Our party’s constitution provided that the National Secretary shall cause to be issued a notice of meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee, NEC, and the National Working Committee, NWC, in consultation with and approval of the National Chairman as contained in Article 15(4)(b) 2014 constitution of our party.”

He said that the rebellious group had no powers to convene a National Working Committee, NWC, meeting of the party.

Abdulsalam, however, advised the electoral umpire to be proactive in addressing internal feuds in political parties, which according to him had resulted in splitting some parties into factions, adding, “Such unnecessary squabbles are detrimental to political parties’ development and growth.”