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| Mimiko |
Having declared his intention
to contest for the post of President in 2019, Olusegun Mimiko, former governor
of Ondo state has drawn the wrath of the Labour union in Nigeria.
The member of Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) being the parent body of the political party, Labour
party has rejected Mimiko’s overture to contest under its umbrella in 2019.
At a news conference organized by Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President and Mrs Ebere
Ifendu, the National Publicity Secretary on Thursday in Abuja
said it is very important for labour to make its position clear for the 2019
General Elections.
He said, “It is not possible for Mimiko to run
under the labour party and we want to say no to that. As Mimiko has no business
as a member of Labour Party. The party is registered by the NLC and the
Trade Union Congress, Market Women Association, students, we register the party
and the certificate of the party is with the NLC General Secretary.
“Therefore,
bringing money to buy the party or the structure will not work; we do not share
in the same ideology with him. It is a party with a difference. Therefore, I
want to call on Minimko once again to make sure he hands his hands off the
party. Therefore, A.A Salam cannot continue to function as the chairperson of
the party.” He said.
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| Ayuba Wabba, Labour President, |
He added that the Labour Party is
not a place for any candidate to join when the condition is favorable and when
you arrive at your destination, you abandon it.
Also, Mrs Ebere Ifendu, National
Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party also warned Nigerians and political
aspirants to disregard the purported party convention slated for 13th September
in Abuja.
She said,
“It has become necessary for the leadership of the Labour Party to draw the
attention of the general public to the fraudulent collection of Expression of
Interest and Nomination Form fees from innocent and unsuspecting political
aspirants.
“That is
for those who desire to contest various elective positions under the Labour
Party through Alhaji A. A. Salam, the former national chairman of the party. It would be
recalled that A. A. Salam was removed at the special national convention of the
party held on 3rd October, 2017. This
illegality was also confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) report, presented by the three INEC officials that were detailed to
supervise its conduct.”
She also disclosed that the party’s
counsel, Femi Falana has served INEC, A. A. Salam and Julius Abure, the Court
contempt summon, hence warned them not to proceed with the illegal party
convention otherwise they risk arrest.
“Credible
information reaching us revealed that A. A. Salam has concluded arrangements to
pull a rented crowd to declare Olusegun Mimiko as the Labour Party’s
Presidential Candidate. This illegal event is schedule to hold in Abuja on Thursday, 13th
September. This is a total violation of Article 27, section 1, subsection i and
ii of the Labour Party’s constitution.”
Ifendu said the party constitution
stipulates that ‘aspirants for presidential election shall be nominated as
candidate for the party at the national convention.
She
stressed further, “Where the National Executive Council identifies a credible
and nationally acceptable person, it shall nominate and present such a person
for ratification only at the national convention as the party’s presidential
candidate. The same rule applies to the nomination of a gubernatorial candidate in
section 3, subsection i & ii, in the case of which the state Congress is
saddled with the responsibility of pronouncing their gubernatorial candidate. “
She called for caution in the light
of the above violations and open disregard to the constitution of the party.
She has called on all Labour Party
National Working Committee members, State officials in the 36 state, FCT, among
others to disregard the illegal gathering being summoned by A. A. Salam and
Julius Abure.
“The law
enforcement agencies have been adequately notified of this illegal gathering
and they are poised to take legal action against any person or group of persons
that attend this illegal gathering. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. That all intending
aspirants and candidates, willing to contest elections under Labour Party,
should desist from dealing with A. A. Salam and Julius Abure on election
matters. Those who make payments to them do so at their own risk.
“Consequently,
the party hereby disowns and rejects Olusegun Mimiko as its presidential
candidate, since neither the national executive council nor the national
convention has been notified, as provided in the party’s constitution referred
to above. Be informed also that a court contempt proceeding has been served on
A. A. Salam and his gang leaders. Any attempt by them to convene an illegal
NEC convention or any gathering of such similitude will amount to court
contempt and a total disregard for the rule of law,” Ifendu said.
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