By Our Reporter
The Political Commission of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State and critical stakeholders of the Labour Party (LP), in the State have appointed Comrade Akan Isong as Chairman of the Party’s Interim State Working Committee.
According to a Communiqué dated 17th April, 2024 and signed by Comrade Essien Essien, Chairman; NLC Political Commission, Akwa Ibom State; Capt. Augustine Okon, State Coordinator; Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council and other stakeholders of the party, the emergence of Comrade Isang followed the removal of Comrade Lincoln Charles after occupying the office of State Chairman for about thirteen (13) years.
The Communiqué which was copied to the Labour Party BOT Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the State Commissioner of Police, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, also warned the sacked Comrade Lincoln Charles to cease forthwith from parading as State Chairman of the party.
The release which called on the relevant authorities, LP stakeholders, teeming members, supporters and the general public to accord the new party leadership all the necessary recognition and support to guarantee victory, also directed the ousted former Chairman to handover all property and documents of the Labour Party to the new Chairman within twenty four (24) hours.
Read below the details of the Communiqué:
*COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING OF THE LABOUR PARTY AKWA IBOM STATE, HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 17TH APRIL 2024 AT SAMLAW HOTEL, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE.*
1. *Preamble*
A. Following the current vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission consequent upon its status in the Constitution of the party as a Registered Trustee, convened an all-inclusive Stakeholders meeting at the AGNL Event Centre, Gudu, Abuja, FCT on 8th April, 2024 to address the leadership void in the Labour party and to discuss the repositioning of the party to deliver its mandate as the political vehicle for the emancipation of Nigerian workers.
B. The above stakeholders meeting of 8th April, 2024, passed a resolution noting the vacuum in the party’s leadership as a result of the tenor expiration of the immediate-past National Working Committee of the Labour Party, and resolved that in order to reposition the Labour Party from a mere platform for contesting elections to a viable political vehicle for the emancipation of the Nigerian workers and people, *the following steps, amongst others must be immediately taken:*
i. Constitution of a Transition Committee under the leadership of the NLC Political Commission and working with all critical stakeholders with a mandate to set up structures at the National, State, Local Government and Ward levels for the conduct of the Labour Party congresses.
ii. That the Transition Committee once constituted should fully take over the Secretariats of the Labour Party all over Nigeria.
iii. That the Labour Party is a Party for all Nigerians regardless of ethnic, religious, regional, social and economic orientation or status.
C. Pursuant to the resolutions contained in the communique issued after the Stakeholders meeting held on 8th April, 2024 and owing to the current vacuum in the leadership of Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State, the Akwa Ibom State NLC Political Commission in conjunction with other critical stakeholders of the party, convened this Stakeholders meeting to address the leadership void in the Labour Party and discuss the repositioning of the Party in the State.
D. The stakeholders meeting observed that the immediate past leadership of Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State led by Comrade Lincoln Charles had over-stayed its constitutional maximum tenor by about five (5) extra years having been in office for thirteen (13) years, thereby contravening Article 16 (i) of the Labour Party Constitution.
E. In order to prevent a leadership void in the Labour Party, Akwa Ibom State, we hereby set up an Interim State Working Committee to immediately take over the affairs of the party in the state. The Interim State Working Committee is hereby mandated to reconcile all aggrieved members and consult widely with all relevant stakeholders of the party in Akwa Ibom State.
F. The State Transition Committee shall align fully with the National and State NLC and TUC Political Commission to commence the processes of setting in motion a machinery to conduct congresses in all the 329 Wards, 31 Local Government Areas and State Congress to form a substantive State Working Committee and State Executive Council for the Labour Party in Akwa Ibom state.
G. After due consultation, consideration and consent, the following members of the party are hereby appointed into the Interim State Working Committee:
1. *State Chairman* – Comrade Akan Isong
2. *Deputy State Chairman, Akwa Ibom Northwest (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District* – Engr. Etoro-obong Akpan
3. *Deputy State Chairman, Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District* – Pastor Uwem Ebong
4. *Deputy State Chairman, Akwa Ibom Northeast (Uyo) Senatorial District* – Mr. Ikakke Bassey
5. *State Deputy Chairman (Woman)* – Comrade (Mrs) Victoria Sunday Michael
6. *State Deputy Chairman (NLC)*
7. *State Deputy Chairman (TUC)*
8. *State Secretary* – Comrade Unwana Isaiah
9. *State Treasurer* – Mrs. Wisdom Michael
10. *State Financial Secretary* – Mr. Iniobong Ekanem
11. *State Youth Leader* – Mr. Nsikan Udoh
12. *State Auditor* – Mr. Charles Edet
13. *State Woman Leader* – Mrs. Grace Adolphus Etim
14. *Assistant State Secretary* – Pastor Sunday Michael Udofia
15. *State Legal Adviser* – Elijah Ntetre, Esq
16. *State Organising Secretary* – Nkereuwem Tom
17. *State Publicity Secretary* – Uloh Jacob
*Chairman, State Advisory Council* – Engr. Pius Ebong
*Consequent upon the foregoing: *
a. The erstwhile State Chairman, Comrade Lincoln Charles is hereby directed to handover all the property and documents of the Party to the Interim State Working Committee led by the Chairman, Comrade Akan Isong within 24 hours of this notice.
b. Comrade Lincoln Charles is hereby warned to cease forthwith from parading as the Chairman of the Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State.
c. All Labour Party members, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the public are hereby notified and enjoined to accord all due recognition, respect and support to the Interim State Working Committee led by Comrade Akan Isong.
*SIGNED: *
*Comrade Monday Essien Essien*
(Chairman, NLC Political Commission, Akwa Ibom State)
*Capt. Augustine Okon*
(Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council)
*Hon. Isang Udo-Akagha*
(Leader, Forum of Akwa Ibom State Labour Party Candidates, 2023)
*Comrade Nsongurua Etim*
(Secretary, Concerned Stakeholders Forum -CSF, Akwa Ibom State)
CC: 1. The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Labour Party
2. Independence National Election Commission (INEC)
3. Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Akwa Ibom State
4. The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State
5. Directorate of State Security (DSS), Akwa Ibom State
6. Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State