- Saraki, who asserted that the LP is united and has no faction, said the leadership of the party should be zoned to the north because the presidential candidate is from the south
The Forum of Northern Labour Party (LP) Chairmen and Secretaries has urged the party’s hierarchy to let the north produce next chairman of the party.
Hussaini Saraki, convener of the forum, made the demand while speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Bauchi.
Saraki, who asserted that the LP is united and has no faction, said the leadership of the party should be zoned to the north because the presidential candidate is from the south.
On March 27, the LP conducted a controversial national convention in Anambra state, which re-elected Julius Abure as its national chair.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has since described the convention and its outcome as farcical.
The presidential candidate of the party in the last election, Peter Obi, also distanced himself from the convention saying critical stakeholders were sidelined in the process.
The NLC also said a transition committee has been set up to take over the affairs of the party.
Speaking on the chairmanship position of the party, Saraki said anyone who emerged as the party’s national chairman and he is not from the north would not not be recognised or accepted by the caucus.
He stated that their position was informed by the need to ensure inclusiveness, fairness and equity in the party.
“Northern Nigeria is united for one Labour Party and we are not interested in any faction — whether Apapa or faction or Abure faction, they are no more in existence,” Saraki said.
“What we have is a united Labour Party. In fact, we the northerners, we will not take anybody to be given the position of the chairman of the party if not somebody from the north.
“We want the party leadership to be zoned to the north, so that at least there is that inclusivity.
“The presidential candidate of the party is coming from the south, let the chairman of the party come from the north.”