by By Efa Sunday
Following the de-recognition of the Abure-led leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which equally affects all state working committees across the 36 states of the federation, the National Working Committee of the Labour Party has set up an 18-man interim Caretaker Committee (CTC) to pilot the affairs of the party in Cross River State.
The CTC in the state which is chaired by former Nigeria Labour Congress State Chairman, Comrade John Ushie held the formal presentation at AnchorVino Hotel, Calabar on Wednesday.
While delivering his address, the CTC Chairman, Comrade Ushie called on members to brace up for the pending local government elections, explaining that there is an urgent need to reposition the party as they provide a credible alternative for social democracy, equity, justice and tranquillity.
He also assured Cross Riverians and party faithful that the new leadership will be committed to the principles of democracy, social justice, and progress, even as he called on all interested individuals to avail themselves of the opportunity and participate in chairmanship and councillorship under the Labour party.
In his words, ” We can together begin to win elections without selling out the mandate of the people who have entrusted their destinies in our hands.
“There is a need of urgency to reposition the LP at all levels. Hence, the system as it were, was plagued with inefficiency, naivety, parochial religion, denominational sentiments and fear to dare innovations.
“It’s time for a new approach, one that prioritizes the needs of the many over the interests of the few. Our vision is built on the understanding that political parties should serve the people, not special interests and greed.
“The new leadership will be committed to the principles of democracy, social justice, equity and progress in strengthening our party ethos to address inequality, protect human rights and gender equality to foster unity, and diversity, celebrate our collective achievements by promoting inclusivity in the party and bridge the gaps that have divided us.
“We will work to create a more transparent, accountable, responsive and responsible executive at all levels and to have an active vision, we need the support of all stakeholders and party faithful.”
The state CTC Chairman finally urged members of the public to be wary of the Ogar-Osim-led team, whose tenure ended in June 2024, cautioning that anyone indulging in any transactional business with them is doing that at his/her peril.
On the pending local government election, Ushie said: “I call on all stakeholders to avail themselves of the opportunity as it concerns the upcoming council election to sponsor viable candidates to participate for chairmanship and councilorship because LP will participate to win, as the last election was an eye-opener.”
He, therefore called on the past Exco leadership led by Ogar Osim, to desist from some antics that can derail the new movement and give peace a chance.
Speaking also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs, and new Treasurer of the Labour Party, Hon. Nkoyo Otu, said: “I am here because I believe in doing the right thing and to ensure that justice is done and seem to have been done.
“I was the woman leader and when I was appointed by Governor Bassey Otu as Special Adviser, I was suspended after all entreaties failed.
“All Ogar Osim knows is suspension. So, the new caretaker committee is a big relief to the party and nobody can stop it because the tenure of Ogar Osim has come to an end “
Meanwhile, various stakeholders from the 18 local government areas of the state, including Chief Dr. Ntete Bassey-Duke, a chieftain from Akpabuyo, Comrade Emmanuel Etene, from Bakassi, Chief Boniface Adie from Obudu, Ms. Rita Daniel from Yakurr, all pledged their support to the CTC members, urging them to move forward by devoting more energy on how to rebuild the party at various chapters and wards.
In his counter-reaction, the embattled Cross River State Labour Party Chairman, Comrade Ogar Osim described the John Ushie caretaker committee as impersonators, insisting that he is the recognized and duly elected leadership of the party in the state.
According to Osim who spoke with FAD FM over the telephone on Thursday morning, his tenure as the state chairman still subsists until June 2026, except two-thirds of the members of his executive passed a vote of no confidence on him, which he says isn’t the case till now.
Osim accused the John Ushie-led CTC of imposters whose intention is to defraud unsuspecting members of the public who may be willing to contest in the forthcoming Local Council elections, even as he advised Cross Riverians to refrain from carrying out any financial transaction with them.
In his words, “Our attention has been drawn to one group parading themselves led by Mr. John Ushie claiming to be the leadership of LP in Cross River State. I want to call on all faithful and registered members of LP to ignore Mr. John Ushie and his team of impersonators.
“They are only repeating what they did in 2023 when they claimed to be the authentic leadership of the party. Conducted fake primaries, and produced candidates, after wasting these candidates time and resources only to discover that their names did not appear on the INEC portal. They are doing this again because the local government election is around the corner and they want to deceive gullible members of the public.
“Mr. Ushie can not claim that our tenure has expired because I was duly elected together with my executive in a well attended congress monitored by INEC officials, and our constitution is very clear about the tenure of every elected executive, both at the national and at the state level. Please ignore them. Please do not commit your resources because it would be a waste of time and energy.”
