The Labour Party has appointed leader of the Obidient Movement, Marcel Ngogbehei, along with seven other officials to oversee its newly created directorate.
This development was announced in a statement released by the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Thursday in Abuja.
The new executives will manage complaints and oversee the registration of new party members both within Nigeria and internationally.
This appointment follows the creation of a dedicated directorate for the Obidient Movement, announced two weeks earlier by the National Working Committee led by Julius Abure. At a press conference, Abure had expressed concerns that the ruling oligarchy and suspected saboteurs might have infiltrated the Obidient Movement to undermine the party. However, he assured that the directorate would be managed exclusively by members of the movement without interference from any LP executive.
In addition to Ngogbehei, Aju Elumelu has been appointed as Deputy Director in charge of Diaspora affairs. Other appointees include Mrs. Mariam Ismaila, Chukwuemeka Okafor, Mrs. Angel Innocent, Tony Ashekomeh Jnr, Emeka Ezechi, and Josiah Omenuwoma, all serving as Deputy Directors.
The statement read, “As part of the repositioning efforts of the Labour Party towards integrating millions of our youths and particularly the Obidient family into the larger family, eight new members have been appointed to pilot the affairs of the Obidient Directorate. The inauguration of the directorate will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the NEC Hall, National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja by 10 am.
“The directorate will have the following terms of reference: To coordinate the registration of all members of the Obidient community and integrate them fully into the structure of the party; ease Diaspora participation in the affairs of the party; receive complaints and deal with same and where they are unable to deal with same, refer such complaints to the leadership of the party.
“Other functions include coordinating the collection of dues and donations to the party and ensuring that all Obidients are financial members of the party; work closely with the National Youth Leader, National Women Leader, and National Organising Secretary to create programs that will fully and effectively assimilate all members of the Obidient family to the party.”
The Obidient Movement, which emerged during the buildup to the 2023 general election, is composed of young Nigerians who rallied behind LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, hoping for a transformative Nigeria. The movement significantly boosted the Labour Party’s performance in the February 25 presidential and national legislative elections.
As a result, the LP now has one elected governor, 35 members of the House of Representatives, and seven senators.