The Lamidi Apapa-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party (LP) has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the power to suspend any erring or corrupt appointees without seeking the approval of the National Assembly.
The Labour Party also said it identifies with various ongoing reforms in the country, including the declaration of June 12 as a National Holiday and many other ongoing reforms.
“We salute your excellency’s doggedness and commitment to ensuring that our democracy is sustained along religious, economic, and political lines,” said Abayomi Arabambi, national publicity secretary of the Labour Party.
Arabambi further expressed gratitude to the immediate past administration for giving Nigerians the impetus to recognize the sacrifices of the Heroes of Democracy, who gave their yesterday for our today and tomorrow.
“Chief MKO Abiola’s slogan was Hope 93, and now we have ‘A renewed Hope 2023.’ Even though both were on the platform of Muslim-Muslim tickets, the variation precedent was the zeal and commitment of both MKO and PBAT to a new Nigeria, which is not a symptom of religion,” Arabambi explained.
LP also commended Hon. Kayode Oladele, a former House of Representatives member from Yewa North/Imeko-Afon in Ogun State for sponsoring bills that President Bola Tinubu successfully brought to realisation.
Labour Party expressed appreciation to Hon. Kayode Oladele for his audacious feat, believing that his actions will contribute to the legacy of good governance.
Arabambi called on the people to continue supporting the good intentions of the government while also condemning any wrongdoing when necessary.
In response to a statement credited to the Peter Obi/Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, Arabambi criticised their claims that the suspension approved by President Tinubu is unconstitutional, vindictive, and not in good taste.
“Labour Party under Alhaji Lamidi Apapa led National Working Committee wishes to remind Peter Obi, who is now the unofficial leader of the separatist movement recruited and perfectly hidden under the Illegally constituted and FCT High Court restrained Labour party, that it’s an unpardonable sin for him to assume the role of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when, in fact, no such power has been conferred on him,” Arabambi stated.
Arabambi further dismissed the accusations made by the faction, describing them as irresponsible and ignorant.
Referring to calls for the investigation and arrest of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud, Arabambi criticized the separatist movement for submitting themselves to the jurisdiction of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal while making unconfirmed allegations of rigging.
“It’s pertinent to note that those who are conversant with the history of wars or who have studied about wars would not find it difficult to conclude that this type of irresponsible outburst normally comes from Nigeria’s enemies with a ploy to initiate a second civil war against the unity and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Arabambi warned.
Arabambi described the faction’s outburst as a call for the entrenchment of corruption and terrorism, dismissing their accusations against Peter Obi and Julius Abure regarding the Labour Party campaign fund as false.
“As a Party, we are about humanity and the masses. Any move that tends to work against the welfare of the generality of Nigerians, we will not be in support of,” Arabambi affirmed.
Arabambi highlighted the negative impact of the tenure of the suspended CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emiefele.
“The Obiorah statements are laced with tribalism, egocentrism and nepotism, and what this tells us is that all the rumours that Emefiele was part of those that sponsored the Presidential bid of Peter Obi may be true after all.
“Or how do we explain that people with sane minds will be supporting somebody that kept millions of Nigerians on their knees for almost nine years with records of impunity, poorly-executed fiscal and monetary policies?
“It is an understatement to say that Emefiele subjected Nigerians to a reign of economic terror and wanton financial servitude.
“His tenure put Nigeria in the worst economic woes by plunging Our Naira into a low all-time low and encouraging forex arbitrage and round-tripping: Against advice by experts, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, that the naira should be allowed to find its true value, the suspended CBN governor spent trillions of naira trying to defend the currency but to no success.”
He said for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a sitting Central Bank Governor was seen dabbling into politics, yet Obiorah never sees the reason why he must be investigated and prosecuted if found guilty.
Arabambi said the last straw that broke the camel’s back was the re-colouration of the Naira and the cashless policy.
He said Nigerians were denied access to their money, leading to protests and chaos in several states across the country, and up to date, we are yet to come out from the policy.
“Also during his tenure, we were informed how DSS accused Emefiele of terrorism financing.
“As a Party, we will not support any acts of witch hunting, nor support any move to suppress good moves at getting to the root of Nigeria’s economic crisis under Emefiele.
“We therefore called on DSS and other security agencies to distinctly carry out their investigation workout any hindrance and inform the public of their findings as Nigerians are waiting patiently to know why they were so impoverished under the policy reel out by Emefiele,” he added.