Power tussle: Obi, Otti have no power to convene NEC meeting – LP

…Issues 72 hours ultimatum to Obi, Otti to cancel NEC meeting

…Threatens duo with police probe, declares meeting ‘unconstitutional’

By Sodiq Adelakun

In a dramatic turn of events, the Labour Party (LP) has declared that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, have no authority to convene National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, describing their attempt to do so as an ‘impersonation scandal.’

Recall that Otti had earlier announced a stakeholder meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), scheduled for September 4 at the Government House in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

Reacting to the invitation, the party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, said both Obi and Otti have no constitutional power to call for NEC meetings.

The party’s leadership has threatened to write a petition to the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services if the duo within 72 hours ultimatum fails to immediately put the unconstitutional meeting on hold. 

According to the party, Obi and Otti’s actions are in violation of Section 484 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, which defines impersonation as any person who, with intent to defraud any person, falsely represents himself to be some other person, living or dead, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.

The party’s leadership has also expressed disappointment that Obi and Otti, despite their long political standings and education, would engage in such “unpardonable and disgraceful” actions.

“The attention of leadership of Labour Party National Working Committee under the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure and National Secretary Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim has been drawn to a purported unconstitutional, illegal clandestine Labour Party extended stakeholders /National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Labour Party convene and signed by Mr Peter Obi as National Chairman and Governor Alex Oti as National Secretary.

“Labour Party is therefore calling on the Inspector General of Police to launch a massive investigation against the duo of Mr Peter Obi and Gov Alex Oti for their unconstitutional involvement in the impersonation of the office of Labour party National Chairman and National Secretary, despite their long political standings and education

“Labour Party took cognitive knowledge of Section 484 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria which defines impersonation as: any person who, with intent to defraud any person, falsely represents himself to be some other person, living or dead, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.

“Labour Party hereby as a matter of urgency urges the duo of Mr Peter Obi and Gov Alex Oti to always get themselves acquainted with the Constitution of our party before taking decisions that is not only ultra vires, irresponsible, unconstitutional but absolutely unpardonable and a national disgrace

“In Article 14 (1a) (1b) (1c) of Labour Party constitution clearly states the constitutional functions of the National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure, “to give leadership to the party and preside over all meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Council and the National Working Committee of the Party among others.

“The same Constitution describes the power vested in the National Secretary of the party, Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim to include; to supervise the day-to day activities of the Party at the National Secretariat and shall be the principal administrative officer of the Party in consultation with the National Chairman.

“Shall cause to be issued notices of meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Council, the National working Committee in consultation with and approval of the National Chairman.

“Lastly it is expedient from the above sections of our party Constitution that Mr Peter Obi and Gov Alex Oti are impersonators that is impersonating the National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure and National Secretary Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim with the intent to falsely represent them and attempt to commit fraud.

“Labour Party hereby issues a 72 hours ultimatum to the duo of Mr Peter Obi and Gov Alex Oti to immediately put the unconstitutional meeting on hold, else our party shall immediately write a formal petition to the Inspector General Of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services for fraud, impersonation and conduct likely to cause breach of peace in Nigeria,” the party stated.