‘There’s no vacant position in Cross River labour party — Osim

From, Ene Asuquo, Calabar

As the tussle for the leadership position in Cross River State chapter of labour party intensifies, the patriarch Ogar osim led executives insist that there is no vacant position in the party’s leadership

This assurance was given in a press statement signed by the State Chairman of the party, Ogar Osim and publicity secretary, Dr Ofem lekam Ujong dated 18th September 2024.which reads;

“The Labour Party State Working Committee led by the duly elected State Chairman, Patriarch Ogar Osim is aware that some groups of persons led by Mr. John Ushie are parading themselves as the leadership of the Labour Party in Cross River State”.

They described Mr John Ushie led faction of the party as impersonators who are out to deceive unsuspecting members of the public

“Ordinarily, we would as usual ignore what we consider to be an anecdote meant to entertain the general public, but for the sake of our passionate and committed members who might become victims to these impostors”.

“we strongly call on members of the Press to properly investigate the activities and motive of these desperados whose main aim is to deceive gullible members of the party”

The statement recalled that during the general elections last year, the same group impersonated the leadership of LP in the state and conducted primaries that was not recognized by INEC

“They deceived the general public and even went ahead to produce Candidates through an illegal primary they conducted at their office. In the end, none of those produced through their primaries were recognized by INEC, they have risen again to deceive more innocent citizens”. The statement added.

“It is necessary to state clearly that there is no vacuum in Labour Party Cross River State as the current Chairman, Patriarch Ogar Osim and his team of Executives were duly elected at a Congress monitored and documented by INEC in March 2022 for a four-year tenure as enshrined in the party’s constitution”.

The statement added, in article 16 sub section 1 which says “All National and State Officers of the Party shall hold office for a period of 4 years per tenure and a maximum of 2 tenures per member for the respective offices.”

The statement further stated that INEC has disassociated itself from the false claim and has also rejected the outcome of the illegal Stakeholders meeting and the National Caretaker Committee appointed in Umuahia.Its also maintained that the tenure of National and States Officers have not expired as claimed by oshie led faction

It also maintained that the authentic National Executive of LP led by Julius Abure has also publicly disassociated itself from the illegal Stakeholders because it contradicts article 15 sub section 4 of the party’s constitution which states that the National Secretary shall have cause to issue notices of meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Council, the National working Committee in consultation with and approval of the National Chairman.