Labour Party  Calls On President Buhari To Tackle Security Challenges Quickly, Amend Constitution And Other Nagging Issues 

The meeting was attended by the National Working Committee Members, State Chairmen, State Secretaries and other prominent members of the party.

At the end of the meeting, the following resolutions were adopted.

Tribute To The Late National Chairman Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam

1.1 The NEC In Session paid a glowing tribute to the late National Chairman of the party ALHAJI ABDULKADIR ABDULSALAM who died on the 29th of December 2020. 2.2  NEC noted that he will be remembered for his steadfastness, doggedness, commitment to the Labour Movement. His services in NUT, NULGE, NLC and finally in the Labour Party will remain in the annals of history.

1.3  NEC prayed for the reposed, forgiveness of his sins and pledged to remain in constant touch and support of his immediate family.

ELECTED NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

2.1  NEC in Session appreciated the National Working Committee and the Acting Chairman for holding forth and calling the Meeting of the National Executive Council to do the needful. Realising that nature abhors vacuum;following the need for a focussed, vibrant, articulate,pro active and result oriented leadership especially in view of the 2023 general election, reverted the Acting Chairman to her position as Deputy National Chairman. NEC Consequently, elected and elevated the National Secretary Barrister Julius Abure  and Alhaji Umar Farouk the National Vice Chairman North West as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively. This is in line with the principle of federal character as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended and Article 13(2)(B)(xvi) of Labour Party Constitution As amended in 2019 which provides as follows “to fill vacant positions in the NWC as they may occur from time to time in between National Conventions”

2.2 As a result of the consequential vacancies, NEC ceded its powers to the NWC to fill other vacancies in the NWC within the next three months or call a visual meeting of NEC to fill the vacancies

INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

4.1 The NEC In Session reviewed the insecurity in the country which manifests itself in the form of Boko Haram insurgency, kidnappings, murder, Fulani and herders clashes and other similar crimes and criminalities.

4.2 The situation has not only made life unbearable for Nigerians in terms of their socio-economic conditions but have made life short, Brutish and uncertain.

4.3 NEC was therefore compelled to call on the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to put tribal and religious affinities aside and rescue the country from Bandits.

The government must employ modern technology and change its strategies by evolving a new approach to fight crimes.

Government must strive to avoid a situation where it will be perceived as taking side with criminal elements overtly or covertly

REFORMS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

5.1  NEC IN SESSION posited that a viable, credible and dependable electoral process will enhance the country’s growth and development. It will create an enabling environment for patriotic, intelligent, result-oriented and credible Nigerians to emerge as leaders of the country.

5.2 NEC remarked that the country needs such leadership to reposition our Nigeria for effective performance. This underscores the importance of comprehensive electoral reforms of our electoral system which  begins with the amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act

5.3 In consequence, NEC urged the National Assembly to put on the toga of patriotism and take hold of the momentous opportunity of the current amendment to do the needful.

5.4 NEC stressed that any amendment which does not include but not limited to the  under listed is only an amendment for the political class in Nigeria:

(a) An amendment that will legitimise the use of technology in the electoral system to wit; voters are electronically accredited which will confirm, authenticate and verify a voter; polling unit election results are published and electronically transmitted to INEC Website and other platforms and made accessible to members of the public; empower INEC with the power to adopt electronic voting and electronic collation and transmission of election results.

(b)   reflect amendments that will ease the participation of the visually impaired persons and other persons living with disabilities  in the electoral process

(c)include provisions to enhance the participation of Youths and women.

INCESSANT HIKE IN THE PRICES OF PETROL AND PRTROLEUM PRODUCTS

6.1 NEC expressed serious worries  over the incessant hikes in the prices of petroleum products which has brought untold hardships to Nigerians

6.2 NEC is baffled by the fact that the government allowed the international price of crude oil to determine the cost of petroleum products in our country where crude oil is an abundant natural resource

6.3 The federal government should learn from other countries of the world where the citizens are allowed to benefit from the available natural resources in their country.

 NEC wondered and found no rational justification for exporting crude oil at a lower price and import petroleum products at a higher cost.

6.4  NEC, therefore, concluded that the only way out of the present imbroglio is for the government to revamp existing refineries and prevail on state governments to construct a modular refinery in every state, supply them with crude oil at a fixed rate for local consumption.

6.5 This will be in tandem with the 1999 Constitution which contemplates Nigeria to be a welfarist state see sections 14,16 and 17 of the Constitution.

6.6 NEC finally noted that the current policy of allowing market forces, the international price of crude oil to determine the price of petrol and petroleum products should be jettisoned since it is making life more difficult for Nigerians.