Stakeholders convened on Monday and unanimously endorsed the establishment of a Transition Committee tasked with overseeing the affairs of the Labour Party and orchestrating a national convention within the next three months.

The committee, comprising members representing diverse segments of the Labour Party, is set to be unveiled following the conclusion of the Eid-el-Fitr holidays.

This decision was reached during a Stakeholders meeting organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission in Abuja.

In a released statement following the meeting, stakeholders discredited the previously held national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, deeming it insignificant and devoid of legitimacy.

The communique read: “Owing to the current vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party, the NLC Political Commission consequent on its status in the Constitution of the Labour Party as a registered trustee of the Labour Party, a status that was further buttressed by a Federal High Court Consent Judgement delivered on March 20, 2018 by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, convened this Stakeholders meeting to address the leadership void in the Labour Party and to discuss the repositioning of Labour Party to deliver its mandate as the political vehicle for the emancipation of Nigerian workers and people.

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“Resolutions of the Stakeholders’ Meeting

“The Stakeholders Meeting noted the vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party following the expiration of the supposed tenure of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party.

“The Stakeholders Meeting affirmed and validated the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress through her Political Commission as the only body recognised by the Constitution of the Labour Party and Justice Kolawole’s Consent Judgement to act as trustee in a situation of leadership vacuum as is currently the case in the Labour Party.

“The Stakeholders Meeting following the unanimous adoption of a motion moved to accept the recommendations made in the address by the NLC Political Commission Chairman resolved that in order to reposition the Labour Party from a mere platform for contesting elections to a viable political vehicle for the emancipation of Nigerian workers and people the following steps must be taken immediately:

“Constitution of a Transition Committee under the leadership of the NLC Political Commission and working with all stakeholders with a mandate to set up structures at national, state, local government and ward level for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention of the Labour Party.

“The Stakeholders Meeting passed a vote of no-confidence on the purported Labour Party national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State and regards as inconsequential the leadership that claims to have emerged from the illegal Nnewi Convention.

“That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all the relevant security organisations in Nigeria are hereby notified and should be officially written immediately to recognise the Transition Committee as the interim leadership of the Labour Party pending the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party.

“That the Transition Committee once constituted should fully take over the secretariats of the Labour Party all over Nigeria.

“That the Transition Committee shall immediately set up an assets recovery process of all the properties of the Labour Party. The Transition Committee shall also ensure that all the cases of fraud, impersonation and forgery of government documents pending against a few discredited former officers of the Labour Party are forensically audited and culprits are diligently prosecuted as demanded by leader of the Labour Party – Mr. Peter Obi. It is unfortunate that the actions of these few dishonourable characters have splashed mud on the white satin of Labour Party.

“That the Transition Committee shall within three months of its constitution ensure the conduct of an inclusive national convention of the Labour Party starting from ward congresses to local government congresses to state congresses culminating in an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention in Abuja.

“Pursuant to the foregoing, the Transition Committee is mandated by the Stakeholders Meeting to begin the process of revalidation of current members of the Labour Party and the registration of new members through the issuance of new membership cards and receipt of membership dues for the purpose of the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention of the Labour Party. It is expected that this mobilisation drive will yield in the first instance a total membership strength of 10 million

“Labour Party card carrying members drawn from across all workplaces, marketplaces, professional groups, ethnic and religious organisations that Nigerian workers and people belong to.

“The Stakeholders Meeting recognises, affirms and commends the support of critical stakeholders in the Labour Party for their continued support and faith in Labour Party. We promise that your steadfast solidarity will surely count!

“Finally, we reiterate that the Labour Party is a Party for all Nigerians regardless of ethnic, religious, regional, social and economic orientation or status.”

The communique was signed by Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku For: Chairman, NLC Political Commission, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, former President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sylvester .O.Z. Ejiofor Chairman, Board of Trustees, Labour Party and Engr. Gambo Daniel Balarabe National Coordinator.

Others were, Dr. Moses Paul (Mo) Coordinator, Obidient Movement, Chief Yohana Yilpwan Margif Labour Party Plateau State Governorship Candidate,

Dr. Kingsley Oghogho Okundaye Coordinator, LPPMC, Hon. Jonathan Asake Kaduna State Labour Party Governorship Candidate and Barr. Ihekwoaba Paul, for Disabled Persons in Labour Party.

Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has strongly criticized the members of the Edo State House of Assembly for his impeachment on Monday.

Shaibu, who has been at odds with Governor Godwin Obaseki, was ousted from office by the lawmakers following the adoption of a report by a seven-man investigative panel probing allegations of misconduct against him.

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In response to his removal, Obaseki swiftly announced the appointment of a 38-year-old engineer as the new deputy governor.

Expressing his disdain for the impeachment, Shaibu accused the lawmakers of betrayal and subversion of justice, warning that history would harshly judge them for their actions.

In a video posted on his social media account shortly after the impeachment, Shaibu condemned the Assembly members for forsaking their oath of office and urged the judiciary and relevant authorities to intervene to uphold the principles of justice and fairness.

He attributed his impeachment to his ambition to contest the Edo Governorship election in 2024 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as a legal right.

Shaibu labeled the impeachment as an attack on democratic principles and a dangerous descent into dictatorship, emphasizing that it threatened the foundation of democracy.

Addressing the people of Edo State, Shaibu expressed gratitude for their support during the challenging circumstances and vowed to challenge his impeachment through legal means.

In his inaugural address as the newly appointed Deputy Governor of Edo State, Marvellous Omobayo has pledged to bolster Godwin Obaseki’s second term in office.

Omobayo made this commitment during his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, administered by Chief Judge Daniel Okungbowa.

He said, “The oath of office l have just taken is my legal acceptance speech. It defines the legal limits that l can or cannot exceed while in office.

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“Beyond this legal ceremony, it is imperative that l publicly express my profound gratitude to our respected Executive Governor, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

“After all the very painful and thought-provoking distractions of the past few months, our governor is determined to finish his second term very strong.

“From his dialogue with me, it is clear that he is very determined to bequeath a legacy of peace, unity, progress and visible development to Edo State.

“A legacy that the next PDP regime will find exciting to proudly build upon and maintain the leadership position Edo has achieved over time in the comity of states in Nigeria,” he said.

Omobayo thanked his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, for finding him worthy of the appointment.

Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the State.