A former National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, returned the certificate of registration of the party to the labour movement on Thursday in Abuja.

Nwanyanwu while handing over the certificate through the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it was imperative for him to return the certificate as he was no longer a member of the party.

“I came here today to return the certificate of registration of the party to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) given to me in 2004.

“Unfortunately, I am not returning it as the national chairman of the party or as a member of the party.

“I left the party because of irreconcilable differences which came up soon after I handed over to certain persons; I thought I learnt something for 10 years.”

He said it was time for Nigerian workers to be involved in politics and not just agitators.

“Workers must stand up, protect, build and reposition the party that belongs to them.

“The Labour Party belongs to Nigerian workers under the auspices of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, among others, so it is important for them to make it a vibrant party.

“It is time to get those that are qualified with knowledge to take up leadership positions in the party.

“Let us get those who are qualified and support them because we have a strong base to win any election in this country if we are united to build and re-position it.

“I want the labour movement to send signals to its chapters on how to reposition the party because it is owned by workers and not the NLC.”

The NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said the handing over of the certificate to Nigerian workers through the NLC was symbolic.

“Labour party,” he explained, “includes all affiliates of NLC, TUC, all progressives and people that believe that labour has what it takes to be able to offer leadership and also engage on key issues that would better their lives.

“The party represents the ideology of the working class, the down-trodden, social justice and fair play in terms of managing our resources.

“This is taking into cognisance the yearnings and aspirations of larger Nigerians which is the main driving force.”

He said that the National Executive Council of the NLC and TUC had also tried to put in place a caretaker committee for the labour party in an attempt to rebuild the party.

Wabba said that Nigerian workers would put in their best to build and reposition the party.

Mr. Salisu Mohammad, National Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the party, urged the NLC to fulfill its resolution to facilitate the registration of two million workers as members of the party.

Mohammad said the resolution came from the resolution of the 11th National Convention of the NLC.

He said the implementation of the resolution would further breathe life into the party and make it truly a Labour party and a party of the working people.

“With a workers base of two-million members, the Labour Party will indeed, be the largest party in Africa.” (NAN)

Update news