Kenneth Okonkwo, the former spokesperson for the Obi/Datti Campaign Organization, has launched serious allegations against the national chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, accusing him of causing the ongoing turmoil within the party.
Okonkwo claims that Abure has turned the Labour Party into a personal venture, sidelining the democratic values enshrined in the party’s constitution.
According to Okonkwo, Abure’s failure to conduct elections for party officials at various levels has resulted in a lack of legitimate leadership nationwide.
Instead of following the democratic process, Abure is accused of unilaterally appointing leaders, bypassing both the party’s constitution and the will of its members.
However, Okonkwo also highlighted that despite court orders and agreements with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) mandating an inclusive convention and the inauguration of a Board of Trustees (BOT) in 2018, Abure has consistently ignored these legal directives.
Okonkwo emphasized that Abure’s refusal to adhere to these rulings has deepened the party’s internal crisis.
Okonkwo also criticized Abure for attempting to hold a convention without proper notification to INEC, which invalidated the March 27, 2024, convention held in Nnewi.
He questioned the legitimacy of the delegates who participated in the convention, noting the absence of elected ward, local government, or state executives within the party.
Concluding his statements, Okonkwo asserted that Abure and his executive have hijacked the Labour Party, a party intended to represent the masses and workers, and transformed it into a vehicle for personal gain.
He called on party members to reclaim the Labour Party and restore its democratic foundations.
