The caucus said such a suspension would give room to a “profound process of stakeholders' consultations to blossom towards the germination of a broad-based National Convention Committee to organize an all-inclusive Convention and Congresses for the party”.
The National Consultative Front (NCFront), a front-line stakeholders’ caucus in the Labour Party led by Prof Pat Utomi, has called for rival forces within the party to put a hold on the proposed National Convention of the party.
The caucus said such a suspension would give room to a “profound process of stakeholders' consultations to blossom towards the germination of a broad-based National Convention Committee to organize an all-inclusive Convention and Congresses for the party”.
NCFront in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Director of Administration, Barr Promise Adewusi, said it had followed, with keen interest, the controversies evolving around the proposed National Convention of the Labour Party scheduled to be held in Abia State at the end of March 2024.
It said, “There is no gainsaying that the Labour Party has emerged, too suddenly, as the beautiful bride of Nigerian Politics, a major success, which also has its drawbacks, part of which is the desire of its adversaries to see it demobilized and its enviable strides halted.
“This must not be allowed to happen as history will not spare all those found culpable as tools if the party is made to play into the hands of its enemies and naysayers.”
It said the “only way to shame those who would rather see the Labour Party crumble in this circumstance, is for contending forces to sheathe their swords and allow good reason to prevail in the party…”
The caucus said the delay would allow for a party convention and congresses “capable of birthing a respectable National Working Committee that draws its legitimacy from the will and consensus of the party's membership as envisioned by the party's constitution”.
It said, “The NCFront therefore adds its voice to the call of all well-meaning stakeholders and members of Labour Party to call for the postponement of the proposed National Convention to allow for more consultations and the cooling of nerves as this is certainly not a time for personality contests or altercations among the various caucuses and forces in the party but for reasoned, strategic consultations that will ensure inclusivity in the affairs of the Labour Party for future strength and triumph.
“Finally, while we congratulate all allies, and stakeholders of the Labour Party under the leadership of Barr Julius Abure for the epochal feat achieved by the Party in the 2023 elections, we wish to charge the Party leadership to immediately pause and rally key stakeholders of the Labour Party, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, National Consultative Front initiated Big Tent of the 3rd Force Movement, elected political office holders on the Platform of the Labour Party and the Obidient Movement in general towards a major political consensus on the proposed National Convention to the utter failure and disappointment of the adversaries of the Labour Party.”