July 14, (THEWILL) – Organized Labour in Cross River State, comprising the NLC and TUC, have fallen out with the leadership of the Labour Party in Cross River State.
This follows the lack of agreement between both parties on the choice of candidates for the general elections in the state.
As a result, a vote of no confidence has been passed on the State Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ogar Osim, by organised labour in the state.
The notice was signed by The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Ben Ukpepi, as well as the TUC Chairman, Monday Ogbodum.
Other signatories are Godwin Amoikwen, chairman of the NLC Political commission, as well as the Chairman of the TUC Political Commission, Ken Bassey.
Organised Labour said, “The leadership totally dissociates itself from all political activities of the Ambassador Ogar Osim-led executive of the Labour Party in the state.
“The leadership further notifies politicians dealing with him as doing so at their own peril, as no consultations were made with leadership of the Organised Labour in the state.
“Notwithstanding this position, the loyalty of Organised Labour in the state for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, remains unshaken.
“However, the support of Organised Labour in the state for candidates for various elective positions shall be determined in due course; and this shall be based on credibility and competence of candidates.
“The leadership of Organised Labour hereby passes a vote of no confidence on Ambassador Ogar Osim, the interim state chairman of the Labour Party”, Organised Labour said.
However, reacting, the State Chairman of the Labour Party has rejected the vote of no confidence in him, describing it as laughable and meaning nothing.
He said such a vote can only come from the state executive of the party and that the role of the NLC is to mobilise and not dictate.
Ogar said, “The Labour party is serious in this election so NLC CRS has presented themselves as fighting against the labour party.
“Instead of mobilising for the party, they are demobilising.
“I want to state categorically that they cannot impose any candidate on the labour party, their vote of no confidence is laughable”, he said.
He added that the Labour party is breaking even in the state and their aim is to deliver Peter Obi as president and win all it’s elections in the state.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
