A former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abduwaheed Omar, has been appointed by the NLC’s Political Commission to lead a transition committee aimed at revitalizing the Labour Party. This decision was made to address the leadership vacuum within the Labour Party and ensure a smooth transition process.
Abduwaheed Omar will chair this committee, which is tasked with organizing a national convention within the next three months. The committee also includes Sam Amadi and Abiodun Olamosu, who have been appointed as co-chairmen to assist Omar. Nnawuihe Nwauwa has been designated as the secretary of the committee.
At the second meeting of the party’s stakeholders in Abuja, it was decided that former Presidential candidate Peter Obi would be represented by Yunusa Tanko from Peter Obi Media Reach. Additionally, the leaders agreed to form 13 sub-committees, each responsible for various aspects of the party’s administration.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting on Wednesday, Theophilus Ndubuaku, Vice Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, explained that the purpose of the gathering was to implement resolutions made during their inaugural meeting. Ndubuaku emphasized that the formation of the transition committee eliminates any leadership vacuum within the Labour Party, and the committee is expected to begin its work immediately.
“We have decided to establish a transition committee to address the leadership vacuum in the Labour Party,” Ndubuaku stated. “The stakeholders have unanimously resolved that the former president of the NLC, Abduwaheed Omar, should head the Transition Committee of the Labour Party. Additionally, two co-chairmen, Prof. Sam Amadi and Abiodun Olamosu, were appointed to work with Comrade Omar, while Mr. Nnawuihe Nwauwa is to serve as Secretary of the Committee.”
In March, Julius Abure was elected as the National Chairman of the Labour Party during a national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra. However, the NLC rejected the convention’s outcome and accused Abure of deceiving himself by assuming the role of national chairman.
Abduwaheed Omar expressed his commitment to working diligently and collaboratively with the other members of the transition committee to fulfill their given mandate. He stated that the committee would begin its duties on Thursday, starting with a plan to swiftly address the issues faced by the Labour Party under Julius Abure’s leadership, which has caused significant damage.
When questioned about the legitimacy of the transition committee and whether it aligns with the party’s constitution, Omar defended the committee by stating that they relied on the 2009 constitution of the Labour Party as their authoritative and binding document. He reiterated that the new transition committee would uphold the party’s interests in the upcoming elections, as long as the candidates were law-abiding.
Omar also addressed concerns about Peter Obi’s recent visit to the Labour Party headquarters, stating that Obi had gone there to address candidates running for FCT council elections. He emphasized that there was clear proof of Obi’s strong support for the efforts of Labour Party stakeholders in positioning the party.
Yunusa Tanko stressed the importance of reconciling all interest groups within the party. He highlighted Obi’s consistent emphasis on unity and transparency in managing party affairs. Tanko reiterated that the committee’s efforts would focus on ensuring that the party remains united and operates transparently, aligning with Obi’s vision for the party.
Overall, the formation of the transition committee, led by Abduwaheed Omar and supported by a team of dedicated members, marks a significant step towards revitalizing the Labour Party and addressing the leadership challenges it faces. The committee’s work will be crucial in setting a strong foundation for the party’s future endeavors.