The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr. Mike Omotosho has insisted that despite controversies trailing his election as chairman, he remains the authentic national chairman of the party in Nigeria.
Omotosho spoke in a recent interview on a programme ‘Democracy Today’ anchored by Odion Bello.
Recall that the party had in October last year held its convention which produced the Mike Omotosho led executive committee. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in another twist in December said it only recognized the former chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam as the authentic leader of the party. This has degenerated into several crisis and the party now has different factions.
However, while reacting to questions on his authenticity as the Labour Party chairman, Omotosho said:
“First of all the question we need to ask is who owns the party. If you agree with me that the party belongs to the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council and indeed representatives from every state which is the special convention of the party then you will agree who truly is the authentic leader of the party. We had national working committee, a national executive council meeting and a convention where representatives of the states were present. INEC, security agencies and the media were also present to give it the deserved coverage. So how else could we have convinced the world that we followed due process?,” he inquired.
Speaking further he said: “The unfortunate rancour spreading around now is a consequence of one man who wants to be an emperor, behaving like he is above the party and it is unacceptable. I think its high time we returned the party of the people to the people. Because the party truly belongs to them. So if the people who owns the party decides that I (Dr. Mike Omotosho) should lead them, then, that judgement is final. It means I am the new National Chairman of the party and that remains so.”
Highlighting the party’s allegations against the former chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, Omotosho said: “There’s allegations of embezzlement to the tune of N1.3 billion, forgery and several other ones that have reported to the appropriate authorities. And they are acting on it, in fact we have an interim report from the Police and the allegations will soon be charge to court. If the party comes together and say this chairman’s integrity is at stake and you do not deserve to continue leading the party.
He was invited to come and explain his side of the matter to a committee but he did not show up because he felt he was bigger than the party. He was also invited to respond to a disciplinarian committee, he still did not come. This was why the National Working Committee met and decided to have a convention. They did inform him and he agreed. The convention was held, INEC was duly notified and it was at that point he realised that if things continue that way, he will be removed. And he hid under a part of the constitution that says only the chairman can call a meeting for the special convention, however, there are clauses also in the same constitution that caters for when the chairman is unruly, otherwise the chairman will be there for ever even when allegations of gross misconducts hangs on his neck,” Omotosho explained.