“Itubo Signals Resolution of Labour Party Turmoil as Rivers Unveils New Executive”
The head of the Labour Party in Rivers State and its 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Beatrice Itubo, asserts that the party is no longer fragmented, emphasizing that the period of factional leadership has concluded.
Itubo made this declaration while speaking to reporters after the party’s state congress in Port Harcourt on Saturday, where new leaders were elected to oversee its activities.
She warned against ongoing legal disputes regarding leadership, pointing out that returning to court would merely deplete the party’s scarce resources.
According to her, disgruntled members are being urged to unite with the leadership endorsed by both the court and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Esther Nenadi Usman, in order to realign the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Itubo stated, “I have consistently been a strong advocate for the leadership of Nenadi Usman. And when the courts ultimately corroborated that, I was also present. This is precisely why we have gathered here today to hold this congress.
“Therefore, there is no faction within the Labour Party. We are a single entity. We are simply encouraging them to return.”
She further added, “We can establish a robust and united party. And advance the party’s objectives. It’s not solely about individual interests.
“Our doors are open. I desire for all of them to return so that we can make progress.”
The former gubernatorial candidate also refuted assertions that the Labour Party primarily exists on social media, noting that its performance in the 2023 elections illustrated its influence at various governance levels.
However, she attributed the party’s challenges to internal conflicts, which she claimed were engineered to undermine its framework and led to the defection of certain members.
Itubo maintained that the Labour Party triumphed in both national and state elections, adding that while the results of the last elections have been accepted, the party is resolved to prevent a recurrence of such occurrences in 2027.
On Peter Obi’s role in enhancing the party’s visibility, Itubo recognized his impact but emphasized that the Labour Party has consistently enjoyed solid grassroots backing as a worker-based platform.
She remarked that workers remain the foundation of the party, particularly during a period when many are negatively impacted by the nation’s economic difficulties.
“The Labour Party has historically been a popular party. For Peter Obi, indeed, his entry into the party elevated its status to a certain degree. But you know as well as I do that the Labour Party is a workers-based organization.
“I acknowledge that there is no family in this country that doesn’t have workers. Hence, these workers are the cornerstone of the party. And so when Peter Obi arrived, it essentially provided us with a lift.
“Nonetheless, the workers remain present. And today they have come to express their desires. There is no Nigerian satisfied with the current situation.
“And thus the workers are the most affected. You witness inflation everywhere. Salaries remain unchanged.
“Individuals are perishing daily due to hunger. When one is unwell, there are insufficient funds for medicines and necessities.
“Consequently, in the end, you will observe that the Labour Party will emerge even more robust, by the grace of God.”
She further portrayed the recent congress as a vital shift from prior practices, where individuals allegedly declared themselves party executives without adherence to due process.
According to her, delegates from all 23 local government areas participated in the activity and collectively elected new leaders to serve for the next four years.
Itubo expressed faith in the newly elected executives, referencing their contributions during their interim tenure over the past three months.
She noted they played a pivotal role in stabilizing the party following a leadership crisis that saw the former interim chairman and the majority of his team defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), an action she said nearly incapacitated the party in the state.
She added that collaborative efforts by party stakeholders aided in rebuilding the structure and restoring cohesion among members.
She stated, “Indeed, we are pleased that at last we have established an exco for the Labour Party here in the state.
“It represents a significant shift from what has transpired previously, where individuals would merely lounge at home, in their parlours, or in bars with friends and self-declare as executives.
“But today you have all witnessed that the 23 local government areas were fully represented, and they unanimously agreed and elected those who will guide the affairs of the Labour Party here in the state for the next four years.
“So, it’s a positive development, and I believe that with the enthusiasm I am observing from them, they will strive to make the Labour Party relevant as we move forward.”
Additionally, the newly elected State Chairman of the party, Fredric Nwojie, stated that the current leadership originated as a caretaker committee appointed by the national leadership under Usman.
He elaborated that efforts were made to reconcile members and unify various factions, noting that while many returned to the party, a few individuals opted not to rejoin.
Nwojie characterized the Labour Party as a pioneer, highlighting its implementation of electronic registration for members.
He stressed that the party’s membership is predominantly composed of workers who are not motivated by self-interest.
He said, “we are not opposing anything; rather, we are advocating for something.”
NAIJATAB reports that the new executives emerged through a consensus process, while previous executives and standing committees were dissolved.
The congress attracted participation from party members across the 23 local government areas of the state, along with representatives of organized labor, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and officials from the party’s national leadership.
