The Labour Party (LP) has insisted that the caretaker committee set up by its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti, is a product of illegality.
The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, stated this in an interview with Punch which was published on Thursday.
According to him, both Obi and Otti were misled by wrong information, adding that the establishment of the caretaker committee headed by Nenadi Usman is alien to the party’s constitution, the country’s constitution, as well as the electoral laws.
“The committee, as you are well aware, is a product of illegality. And we do not recognise it because it is not a product of the Nigerian Constitution and the electoral law. It is also not a product of the Labour Party Constitution. It is just an amalgamation of some members and leaders of the party who think that the party should surrender its authority to them.
Their action was not backed by any law. Therefore, it is unrecognisable and unlawful and we don’t reckon with that group or whatever name they call themselves,” he said.
Ifoh, however, ruled out any plan to sanction Peter Obi and Governor Otti, adding that they are leaders of the party who were simply misled and would find their way back to the manifold of the Labour Party.
“They are the leaders of the party and we hold them in high esteem. We are sure they were misinformed before taking that decision. Very soon, they will retrace their steps and return to the main fold of the party.”
The LP spokesman categorically ruled out any form of sanction for Obi and Otti, describing them as leaders and stars of the party.
“No, there won’t be any sanction on those leaders because, as I told you earlier, they were misinformed and that does not attract any punitive action. They are our leaders and stars.
“We think it is left for us to put them through, guide them and make them to see reasons on why they should retrace their steps. We need everyone in the party. We are not going to chase away anybody. That is why our doors are wide open for people who want to stay.
“The issue we have with the Labour Party is that the party has its programme and ideology. The ideology is for people to have the same like-mind; people who will think Nigeria and those at the lower cadre first. We are not a bourgeoisie party that is cult-like. It is a party that runs an open-door policy. That is why those leaders (Obi and Otti) are very important to us. We are not going to play with them or issue any sanction whatsoever.”