The leadership of the Labour Party has once again reiterated that the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, as well as the removal of the names of its executives from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, portal, will not deter its plans to put up a strong showing in the 2027 general election.
The party vowed to ensure that the judgment of the lower court is overturned at the appellate court.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party called on Nigerians to rise against what it described as the strangulation and monetisation of democracy by a few power-drunk individuals, warning that the country may be heading for the precipice if the inordinate ambitions of some politicians are not checked.
He said, “Some persons who are applauding the impunity of certain politicians should retrace their steps and engage in introspection, because this was how, in the past, they applauded injustice in our democracy simply because they were beneficiaries.
“At the end of the day, when their enthroned leaders began to abuse power, they started complaining.
“For us in the Labour Party, our faith is strong that the appellate court will do the right thing. Therefore, we advise our members to remain calm. We will continue the struggle to reclaim our party from godfatherism.
“The Labour Party is based on social democracy, where no single individual is permitted to appoint everyone. It is against the principles of the party for one man to sit in one place and appoint officials from the National Working Committee down to the state and ward executives.
“That is impunity of the highest order, and it negates the principles of the party. When people say there is no party ideology in Nigeria, this is how it starts.
“We are very sure that the judgment will be quashed on appeal. The celebration by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Nenadi Usman, and their cohorts over the appearance of their names on the INEC portal will be short-lived.
“It is only for a short time. Their victory is pyrrhic, and there is nothing to celebrate because the doomsday is closer than they imagine, which I believe will be catastrophic for them.
“Moreover, it is very clear that the appointment of the caretaker committee did not follow due process. Proper notice was not given in line with the party constitution and the Electoral Act.”
