There is no letup in the crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) as its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, has said the party has no functional Board of Trustees (BoT) as claimed in a report in the media.

He was reacting to a statement issued by the BoT Chairman, Sylvester Ejiofor declaring that it had taken over the affairs of the party following the re-election of Julius Abure as national chairman at a national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Ejiofor, in a statement issued on behalf of the BoT on Wednesday night, had dismissed the convention as a “charade” and said Abure’s re-election was null and void.

The statement read: “Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in line with the Labour Party Constitution, has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party.

“This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the Labour Party.

“We commend the leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and key stakeholders in the Labour Party for declining to deodorise the malfeasance that took place in Nnewi with their presence.

“The BOT assures all stakeholders that we are committed to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of our dear country, her working people and populace,” it added.

But in a statement, yesterday, Ifoh said the party was not aware of the existence of any BoT as claimed by Ejiofor.

Ifoh noted that since Ejiofor stepped down as the first national chairman of the party over two decades ago, he has not attended any meeting or played any significant role as a member of the party.

The statement read in part: “Ever since Ejiofor stepped down as the first national chairman of the Labour Party over two decades ago, he has neither attended any meeting nor played any noticeable role as a member of the party.

“He is not even known in his ward and has not paid a single dime as membership dues which qualifies him as a member. It is surprising that after he was ‘visited’ by some leaders of NLC, he suddenly woke up from his slumber,’ it added .

The LP had on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia to Nnewi.

Speaking on the change in venue, Mr Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, told newsmen that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date. (Daily Sun)

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