Kenneth Okonkwo, the former spokesman for the Obi/Datti Campaign Organization, has sharply criticized Julius Abure, the national chairman of the Labour Party, accusing him of exacerbating the party’s internal strife.
According to Okonkwo, Abure has transformed the Labour Party into a personal enterprise rather than adhering to its democratic principles.
In his column for Daily Sun on Saturday, Okonkwo claimed that Abure’s tenure has been marked by the appointment of party officials contrary to the Labour Party’s constitution, leaving the party without elected leaders at the ward, local government, and state levels.
“Despite multiple court rulings mandating an inclusive convention, Abure has blatantly ignored these legal requirements,” Okonkwo asserted. He added that Abure has failed to inaugurate the Board of Trustees (BOT) as ordered, and even disregarded an agreement brokered by INEC to hold a comprehensive convention.
“Abure has single-handedly appointed all officials of the party until his term expired, which is not only disgraceful but also undermines the party’s foundational principles,” Okonkwo continued. He criticized Abure for accusing others of disobeying court orders while he himself has not complied with judicial directives.
Okonkwo also pointed out flaws in the recent convention process, noting that the notice to INEC was submitted only six days before the event, violating the Electoral Act’s requirement for a 21-day notice. “INEC was right to reject the convention,” Okonkwo argued, highlighting that there was no public announcement and no evidence of an actual convention being held.
In conclusion, Okonkwo emphasized that the lack of elected ward, local government, and state executives means that the positions were once again appointed solely by Abure, which he described as a clear indication of mismanagement and deceit.
