- says election not far from now
From Idu Jude Abuja
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party led by its Chairman Barrister Julius Abure, has appealed to members of the party to learn from their history and trajectory to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Abure who made the remark over the weekend, during the inauguration of the directorate of mobilization and Integration in Abuja, regretted that if the party structure was stronger in 2023 during the general election, it would have probably been able to defend a lot of its stolen votes.
“We have seen instances where weak and unpopular candidates have been delivered or put more succinctly win elections by strong party structure. On the other hand, there are instances in which extremely popular and visible candidates have lost elections due to a weak party structure.
“It is on this basis that we intend to strengthen the structure of the party, make it formidable, rebuild the party and begin to identify strong, passionate and dedicated party members that we can use in future as agents and defenders of the party.
Abure, further said that it was the view and opinion of the party that the time to begin is now.
The LP Chairman also observed that the fire brigade approach adopted by the party in the 2023 general election can be avoided, believing strongly that if the party start planning for the 2027 general election, it will be better for the party and for all those who truly want a new Nigeria.
“I must say for certain that a new Nigeria will not be possible without a strong and virile political party whose structure is strong enough to withstand, fight, and defend our votes and what the new Nigeria stands for.
“It is therefore imperative that we continue to rebuild our party, restructure it and make it stronger so that we can indeed achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.
“A new Nigeria will not be possible as it stands today without a strong and virile political party. And it is my view that the Labour Party, given our experiences in the 2023 general election, is positioned to play that role very effectively.
“I must state here clearly, that all those persons who are in the Labour Party but are not courageous enough to bring their friends, relations and followers to be members of the Labour Party but yet want to use the platform of the party to win election, need to have a rethink.
“At this point, I must quote President Barrack Obama: ‘The problem with Africa is that we build powerful individuals rather than build powerful institutions. This should be a food for thought’.
“This is paradoxical, we should be together, united, and have one mind and one spirit so that we can all jointly work together for future elections, particularly, in 2027.”
