LAGOS – Lingering disputes regarding the legitimate leadership of the Labour Party, LP, in Cross River State escalated as two factions clashed over recognition by the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC.
Chairman of CROSIEC, Dr. Ekong Boco, called for a stakeholders’ gathering to unveil procedures for the upcoming local government Council elections in the state on 25 October, 2024.
Former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chairman in the state, Comrade John Ushie, who was recently introduced by his faction as the caretaker committee chairman for three months, declared his attendance at the meeting.
He stood his ground, demanding that CROSIEC engage with him as his executive committee had prepared for the election process.
Conversely, Ogar Osim cautioned CROSIEC against acknowledging the leadership of John Ushie, labeling them as fraudulent and impostors.
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“I am the duly elected chairman of LP in the state. According to our party’s constitution, my term will end in 2026.”
“These folks are not real. They’re fakes. Our constitution doesn’t recognize them,” he exclaimed.
He cautioned that CROSIEC should be cautious of fakes to avoid disorder in the procedures for the Council elections across the 18 LGAs in the state.
Tension rose when CROSIEC opted to give the election timetable to party chairpersons.
To prevent more fights, one group suggested handing it over to the IPAC Chairman.
LP placed as the runner-up in the gubernatorial election in Cross River State last year.
