Renowned Nollywood actor cum politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has issued a cautionary plea to the populace, urging them to steer clear of the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP).
Naija News reports that there has been an internal crisis within the LP since after the 2023 general elections.
Reacting to recent developments within the party, Okonkwo cautioned that adherence to the leadership of Abure-led NWC could result in the misappropriation of individuals’ hard-earned funds, characterizing the committee as a collection of individuals with a history of deceit.
In a statement on his social media platform on Monday, the actor refuted a claim made by the NWC of the Labour Party regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not rejecting the legitimacy of their most recent convention.
He wrote: “My attention has been drawn to the updated lies of the rejected purported Abure-led NWC of Labour Party, signed by one Obiorah Ifoh, to the tune that INEC didn’t reject their crooked convention. A look at the letter will reveal that the writer neglected, failed, and refused to include the dates they purported to notify INEC of the changes in the venue.
“This is because they knew that the notice was inadequate and, consequently, by Section 82(5) of the Electoral Act was void. INEC didn’t attend because they were not legally notified to attend, not that they opted not to attend.
“Also, the Labour Party members or their duly elected delegates were not allowed to vote for their preferred candidates in the purported convention in accordance with Section 82(3) of the EA, making the convention void for not being all-inclusive as required by law.
“Everyone knows that they didn’t organise ward, local, or state congresses before the purported convention. INEC was right in rejecting the illegal convention, and they remain perpetually rejected.
“I wish to advise everyone to stay clear of these bunch of ill-fated liars as they will be scammed of their hard-earned money if they follow them.”
Naija News recalls that Okonkwo has recently withdrawn his affiliation from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party, which is under the leadership of Abure.
He has cited the NWC’s corruption and incompetence as the reasons for his departure.
Furthermore, Okonkwo has issued a vehement critique of the national convention held by Abure, characterizing it as a venue dominated by criminality and corruption.
According to him, “Nothing can wash out the criminality, corruption, and incompetence with which the purported National Convention was purportedly organised by Abure.
“I did not leave the comfort of a ruling party, APC, because I believe that they are incompetent and dishonest, only to come and join another incompetent and corrupt association, which is the current Abure-led National Working Committee of Labour Party.”