I felt compelled to contrib­ute to the ongoing discus­sion surrounding the in­sightful article, “Abure and History,” penned by Uche Uzomba, a respected member of the Obidient Movement. Uzomba’s piece eloquent­ly criticises the seemingly unyielding stance of Barr. Julius Abure, the embattled Chairman of the Labour Par­ty, appears resistant to opening the party’s platform to the burgeoning coalition of new political agitators. This resistance paints a pic­ture of a leader potentially more preoccupied with the preservation of personal power than with genuine service to the party and its ideals.

Uzomba’s argument cen­ters on the idea that a truly effective leader possesses the wisdom to recognise and restrain personal ambitions when those ambitions clash with fundamental moral val­ues and principles. Unfortu­nately, Abure’s actions, as portrayed in the article, sug­gest a potential disconnect from these crucial leadership qualities. This perceived be­trayal of trust has further exacerbated the internal conflicts within the Labour Party, creating a sense of un­ease and distrust among its members.

The article highlights the potential consequences of Abure’s actions, suggesting that his pursuit of power could ultimately lead to the fragmentation and weaken­ing of the Labour Party, hin­dering its ability to effective­ly challenge the status quo and advocate for the needs of the people it represents. The author emphasizes the importance of leadership grounded in integrity and selflessness, contrasting this ideal with Abure’s perceived focus on personal gain.

This contrast raises crit­ical questions about the fu­ture direction of the Labour Party and the potential ram­ifications of Abure’s contin­ued leadership. The ongo­ing struggle within the Labour Party under­scores the broader challenges faced by emerging political move­ments seeking to navigate the complexi­ties of power dynamics and maintain their commitment to core values in the face of inter­nal and external pressures. The sit­uation calls for a care­ful examination of the motivations and actions of those in positions of lead­ership, and a renewed com­mitment to the principles of transparency, accountability, and genuine service to the people. The future of the Labour Party, and its ability to effectively represent the interests of its constituents hinges on the resolution of this internal conflict and the emergence of a leadership that embodies the values and principles upon which the party was founded.

Let me preface this by clarifying that I am not writ­ing as a partisan affiliate, but rather to offer a perspective on how the ambition of a sin­gle individual can fracture and ultimately dismantle a political party or any collab­orative team.

This observation serves as a cautionary tale, reflecting a pattern seen across nu­merous political landscapes where founding members or established leaders be­come s o fixated on maintaining pow­er that they lose sight of the foundational ideologies that initially propelled their movements.

This particular action tak­en by Abure has disenfran­chised a significant portion of the Nigerian populace who viewed the Labour Party as a beacon of hope, a potential vehicle for rescuing Nigeria from the perceived failures of the All Progressives Con­gress (APC), especially given that the People’s Democrat­ic Party (PDP) has become more of a personal property to Comrade Wike in the po­litical arena. The very people who placed their faith in the Labour Party as a catalyst for positive change are now left disillusioned and question­ing the party’s commitment to its stated principles.

The extraordinary actions of Prof Pat Utomi, who initi­ated the formation of a coa­lition for a new Nigeria, brought a fresh per­spective to the po­litical landscape and highlighted the contrasting approaches of two key fig­ures: Mazi Ralph Okey Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Barr. Julius Abure of the Labour Party.

Mazi Nwosu’s response to this call for unity showcased a remarkable degree of selflessness and foresight. Recognizing the potential for transformative change through a united front, he prioritised the future of his party and the overarching national interest above per­sonal ambition. This com­mitment to a greater good led him to voluntarily step down from his position as National Chairman of the ADC, accepting the role of Organising Secretary within the newly formed coalition. This decision was a signifi­cant sacrifice, demonstrating a rare willingness to relin­quish power for the better­ment of the nation. His ac­tions stand in stark contrast to the typical behaviour of an average Nigerian politician, often characterised by a re­lentless pursuit of personal power. Nwosu’s willingness to take a back seat for the collective good underscores his commitment to national progress and sets a powerful example of leadership.

In contrast, Barr. Julius Abure’s reaction to the co­alition initiative revealed a different set of priorities. Un­like Nwosu, Abure was not a founding member nor a pio­neer chairman of the Labour Party. Despite this, he clung to his position with an almost obsessive tenacity, engaging in protracted legal battles to maintain his grip on power. This pursuit of personal power, seemingly fueled by an intoxicating effect of au­thority, blinded him to the historic opportunity present­ed by the coalition, although made up of the good, the bad and the ugly assemblage of the same political hawks. The proposed merger offered a chance for a significant polit­ical realignment, a potential “national democratic coup” against the perceived failures of the All Progressives Con­gress (APC). By allowing the coalition to utilise the Labour Party platform, Abure could have played a pivotal role in reshaping the political land­scape and potentially usher­ing in an era of much-needed change.

The contrast between Nwosu’s selflessness and Abure’s intransigence pro­vides a compelling case study in political leadership and the importance of prioritiz­ing the collective good.

The Labour Party (LP), before recent political re­alignments, appeared poised to become a significant force in Nigerian politics, and probably well-positioned to challenge the established po­litical order. The LP’s initial trajectory hinted at the pos­sibility of becoming a melt­ing pot for various political interests, uniting disparate groups under a common banner.

However, the evolving po­litical landscape has intro­duced a new dynamic with the emergence of the Afri­can Democratic Congress (ADC). The ADC’s growing momentum and the influx of prominent political fig­ures suggest the possibility of the ADC eclipsing the LP as the primary challenger to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The LP’s perceived stra­tegic missteps can still be remedied if the conflicting power blocs in the LP will shift their grounds for the overall interests of the party faith­fuls and the vast majority of Nigerians, who believe in the ideologies and principles of the Labour Party.

A stitch in time, either as part of the coalition, or probably, try to sincerely re­solve its internal problems as quickly as possible, other­wise, the Labour Party may be on the verge of an imminent col­lapse due to one man’s thirst and drunkenness for power… Did I hear… ‘God forbid’,… a crucial prayer point for LP right no,w even as I come in PEACE.

Dr. Sunny Oby Maduka (DSM)