The Labour Party has rejected a purported plan by its former National Chairman, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam to adopt former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko as its flagbearer in the 2019 presidential elections.
This was conveyed by the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba as well as the National Publicity Secretary Mrs. Ebere Ifendu who called a press conference for the occasion.
According to the NLC it was extremely important for labour to make its position known on the 2019 General elections, and it wasn’t impossible for former Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko to contest for the Presidency on the Platform of the Labour Party.
The NLC chairman reiterated that the Labour party was registered by the NLC, The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Market Women Association and Students and as such it was impossible for the former governor to induce the party leaders with money so that he can be adopted; we do not share the same ideology with mimiko he said.
Speaking further to Journalists, the NLC statement read;
“The party is registered by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, Market Women Association, students, we register the party and the certificate of the party is with the NLC General Secretary.
Therefore, bringing money to buy the party or the structure will not work we do not share in the same ideology with him. It is a party with a difference.
Therefore, I want to call on Minimko once again to make sure he off-his –hands off the party. Therefore, A.A Salam cannot continue to function as the chairperson of the party.”
He further added that the Labour Party was not a place for any candidate to join when the condition is favorable and abandon when it was convenient on apparent shade to the fact that Mimiko had won the ondo state governorship election on the Platform of the Labour Party but had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during his second term as governor.
Echoing Mr. Wabba’s warning, Mrs. Ebere Ifendu, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party warned Nigerians and political aspirants to disregard the purported party convention slated for 13th September in Abuja.
“It has become necessary for the leadership of the Labour Party to draw the attention of the general public to the fraudulent collection of Expression of Interest and Nomination Form fees from innocent and unsuspecting political aspirants.
That is for those who desire to contest various elective positions under the Labour Party through Alhaji A. A. Salam, the former national chairman of the party. It would be recalled that A. A. Salam was removed at the special national convention of the party held on 3rd October, 2017.
This illegality was also confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) report, presented by the three INEC officials that were detailed to supervise its conduct,‘’she said.
Read: Boko Haram: Buratai, Service Chiefs Relocate to Maiduguri
She further informed pressmen that the party’s counsel, Femi Falana has served INEC, A. A. Salam and Julius Abure, a Court contempt summon and therefore warned them not to proceed with the illegal party convention.
She continued;
“Credible information reaching us revealed that A. A. Salam has concluded arrangements to pull a rented crowd to declare Olusegun Mimiko as the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate.
This illegal event is schedule to hold in Abuja on Thursday, 13th September. This is a total violation of Article 27, section 1, subsection i and ii of the Labour Party’s constitution.
Where the National Executive Council identifies a credible and nationally acceptable person, it shall nominate and present such a person for ratification only at the national convention as the party’s presidential candidate.
The same rule applies to the nomination of a gubernatorial candidate in section 3, subsection i & ii, in the case of which the state Congress is saddled with the responsibility of pronouncing their gubernatorial candidate.”
While she called for all parties to exercise caution in order not to further violate the Labour party constitution, she called on all Labour Party National Working Committee members, State officials in the 36 state, FCT, among others to disregard the illegal gathering being summoned by A. A. Salam and Julius Abure.
“The law enforcement agencies have been adequately notified of this illegal gathering and they are poised to take legal action against any person or group of persons that attend this illegal gathering. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed.
That all intending aspirants and candidates, willing to contest elections under Labour Party, should desist from dealing with A. A. Salam and Julius Abure on election matters. Those who make payments to them does so at their own risk.
Consequently, the party hereby disowns and rejects Olusegun Mimiko as its presidential candidate, since neither the national executive council nor the national convention has been notified, as provided in the party’s constitution referred to above.
Be informed also that a court contempt proceeding has been served on A. A. Salam and his gang leaders. Any attempt by them to convene an illegal NEC convention or any gathering of such similitude will amount to court contempt and a total disregard for the rule of law,” she concluded.