The Lagos State division of the Labour Party, LP, has called for the resignation of the National Chairman, Julius Abure, in order to preserve the party’s credibility. Rasheed Bamishe, the LP’s chairman in Lagos State, made this demand at the party’s headquarters in Lagos on Saturday. He urged the National Working Committee, the party’s Board of Trustees, and other pertinent stakeholders to block Abure from proceeding with his proposed National Convention scheduled for March 27, 2024.
Bamishe asserted that Abure should prioritize the interests of the party, suggesting that a Caretaker National Chairman be appointed to oversee State Congresses before organizing the National Convention. He stated, “We implore Barrister Abure to step down from his position in the party because the numerous allegations of corruption against him have severely tarnished the Labour Party’s reputation.” Bamishe expressed concern that Abure’s actions were undermining the party’s original purpose, established by its founders as a beacon of hope for countless Nigerians.
Furthermore, Bamishe accused Abure of attempting to monopolize control over the party, emphasizing that the Labour Party cannot function as a one-person enterprise. He highlighted allegations of dishonesty, forgery, and signature fabrication, which have brought disgrace to the party. Bamishe suggested that even if these accusations were unfounded, Abure should still step aside to allow for thorough investigations into the alleged fraud cases.
Bamishe criticized what he perceived as Abure’s reluctance to relinquish power despite mounting accusations against him, attributing it to a prevailing culture of impunity in Nigeria. He challenged Abure to disclose the location of the National Convention where he was elected as National Chairman. Bamishe warned against Abure’s purported plans to orchestrate another illegal convention to reinstall himself as the National Chairman, urging stakeholders to unite and explore legal avenues to ensure Abure’s removal from office and restore credibility, dignity, and integrity to the party.