Crisis over tenure elongation is brewing in Labour Party, over alleged plans by the party Chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, to seek a straight third term in office.
Stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, NCL, have meanwhile expressed concern over the public perception of the Labour Party as a party without political ideology, which now offers itself as a platform to politicians of all sorts under the leadership of Nwanyanwu.
Nwanyanwu was first elected chairman of the party in 2004. Under his leadership, the party has maintained control of one state, Ondo and made little political incursions in Anambra, Enugu and Plateau States.
Besides Ondo State, where the incumbent governor, Dr. Segun Mimiko, has been endorsed for his labour friendly policies, the national executive has been flayed in some circles for offering the party as a platform to anti-labour politicians in many states.
Party officials confirmed that the party is due to hold its 3rd Convention this December, but there is anxiety that the convention may not produce a change in leadership or leaning of the party, as it was feared that Nwanyanwu would be railroaded back to office.
The acting General Secretary of NLC, Mr Chris Uyot, said that Congress was not unaware of the disquiet in the Labour Party and would initiate some interventions which he said, may not be publicised in the media.
Among those who have taken the fight to Nwanyanwu is the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Mr Babatunde Ayelabola, who has sent a petition to the chairman of the party.
Ayelabola said: “All well–meaning party members and supporters are looking forward to the convocation of the 3rd LP Convention and you (Nwanyanwu) handing over as National Chairman after spending almost a decade in that highly exalted office. I am constrained to point out the obvious due to some unclear signals that you just might be interested in self-perpetuation as the party chairman; such a step will not augur well for either you or the party and I would have otherwise considered such signals as being nothing but rumours.”
Source: Vanguard
