The Labour Party (LP) has issued a stern warning to its elected members in the House of Representatives, urging them to uphold the party’s principles or risk disciplinary measures.
This admonition came from a statement by Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary, on Monday.
The statement criticized the representatives for not adequately embodying the party’s values or representing the electorate’s interests, despite the sacrifices made by Nigerians to elect them.
The party’s leadership has taken issue with comments made by Hon Afam Ogene, the LP’s caucus leader in the House, who criticized the timing of the party’s convention.
Ifoh rebuked Ogene for his lack of understanding regarding the party’s constitutional provisions and cautioned against conflating the LP’s guidelines with those of other parties like the PDP and APC.
Ifoh also voiced his disappointment with the representatives’ tendency to immediately turn to the media after key decisions are made, rather than fulfilling their roles as the people’s advocates and addressing the nation’s pressing issues.
The Labour Party expects its members to be proactive voices of the populace, especially during challenging times.
“It appears that they seat (sic) at the national assembly for theirselves alone. It is obvious that it is only when it concerns the party that they flex muscles.
They need not be told of the persecution the party leadership has been undergoing in the hands of the government in power as a result of their election into offices and yet, they have no qualms in bringing the party to opprobrium at any given opportunity.
“We therefore advice our lawmakers to desist from rushing to the press on party matters. Party internal matters must remain and kept internal matters. The party will not hesitate to discipline any party member who will not respect the supremacy of the party. The party is prepared to defend its ideology and constitution at all times irrespective of whose ox is gored,” parts of the statement read.
