Respect Party Supremacy – LP To Its Reps Members

The Labour Party has eexpressed displeasure with its House of Representatives caucus calling for suspension of the planned national convention.

This is contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Obiora Ifoh in Abuja.

The statement advises the reps members elected on its platform to respect party supremacy or risk disciplinary action.

“The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to a statement made by the Labour Party caucus leader in the House of Representatives, Hon Afam Ogene to the effect that it is unconventional to conduct our convention before state, local government and ward congresses. By this statement from Hon. Ogene, it is pertinent to point out that he is very unknowledgeable as it relates to the provision of the constitution of the party under which he was elected” he adds.

According to the statement, the lawmakers have failed to be true ambassadors of the people since they were elected into the green chamber.

“We had expected, even though he is coming from the background of PDP and APC, he should not mistake the APC and PDP constitutions to that of the Labour Party. We would like to educate him to note that as the other parties’ constitutions are different so is the Labour Party”.

“In line with Article 15:1-4 of our party constitution, there is no equality of tenure. While the ward, local government and state executives have three years tenure, the national executive has four years tenure” Ifoh states.

“As at the moment, party executives in over sixteen states are subsisting because they have conducted their congresses. We had expected Hon. Ogene to read the constitution of the party before making public comments against the party”.

“For the records, the House of Representatives through the caucus leader was duly informed about the coming convention. We are aghast at the kind of politics Hon. Ogene has chosen to play. It is therefore very unhealthy for him to rush to the press to misinform our members”.

“We had expected him to be a liaison between the party leadership and the national assembly and as a leader, he claims to be, to help ensure that peace reigns in the party at all times”.

“We are also shocked that members of the House of Representatives elected under the Labour Party are always quick to rush to the media whenever we make major decisions. This is against the background that they have never risen to the occasion as members of the Labour Party in the House who are supposed to be the voice of the people and speak truth to power, in spite of the numerous challenges the country is going through”.

“Again, considering the sacrifices made by Nigerians in electing these Labour Party legislators, we had expected them to be the Ambassadors of the People. It appears that they sit at the national assembly for themselves alone”.

The statement therefore advises the lawmakers to desist from rushing to the press on party matters, stressing that the party will not hesitate to discipline any party member who will not respect the supremacy of the party.

It assures the party members that the leadership is continuing with consultations among stakeholders at all levels to ensure that a free, fair and rancour-free convention is held.

PR/By Georgina Humphrey