Labor Party (LP) national president Julius Abure on Wednesday downplayed the bitter fight for control of the party, saying differences between the contending forces would soon be resolved.
Abure, who said he was open to reconciliation, called on all aggrieved members to forget the events of the recent past and return to working together as one united party.
The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, quoted Abure in a statement in Abuja speaking to journalists shortly after joining other presidents of national political parties for a meeting with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof . Mahmood Yakubu.
Last week, the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which recognized Abure as president of the LP.
Abure said: “Let me first thank the Court of Appeal for doing justice, for examining the entire matter and resolving it in our favor, which is normally in line with the law of the land, the constitution of Nigeria, the electoral law, and the constitution of the party.
“That is why we want to thank the judges of the Court of Appeals. We also want to thank the High Court judges who had earlier ruled in favor of the party leadership.
“I essentially want to say that disputes within the party should be a family matter, and that's how I see it. For me there are no hard feelings. As I said before, for all those who may have one grievance or another against the party leadership, it is an opportunity for all of us to come together, reconcile our differences and chart a path forward for our party.
“For me, I am open to reconciliation and the party will apply all measures so that everyone within the party can discuss and chart a way forward for the party.
“I think the interest of Nigeria and the interest of the party supersedes any other interest. “I therefore appeal to all aggrieved members of the party to return in the interest of the party and in the interest of Nigeria.”
When asked specifically about his relationship with the party’s presidential candidate during the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, he replied: “I am sure that very soon all our differences will be clarified. aside, and we will once again speak with authority with a single voice and we will emerge stronger and very effective in the political space.
“There is no political party without some differences, it is a game of interests and there will always be conflicting interests in any political environment. I believe we will come out better and stronger.
“Now we have seen our strengths; “We have also seen our weaknesses, and I am sure that all of them, together, will reshape the party and improve it, and we will perform better in future elections.”
Abure refused to admit that Obi and Otti had been working against the LP leadership, insisting that rumors of their alleged involvement in fueling the party's crises were exaggerated.
The statement stated that the INEC president was “elated” to receive Abure.
Yakubu reportedly greeted the LP president with a handshake and said, “I'm glad to see you.”