The leadership of Labour Party has appointed the leader of the Obidient Movement, Marcel Ngogbehei, and seven other officials to administer the affairs of its newly created directorate.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Thursday.
Among other tasks, the new executives will attend to complaints and oversee the registration of new party members within and outside the country.
The appointment comes two weeks after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee announced the creation of a separate directorate dedicated to affairs of the Obidients movement at a press conference.
Abure had raised the alarm at the conference that he feared the ruling oligarchy and some suspected saboteurs may have infiltrated the group to pull down the party.
He, however, promised that the directorate would be solely operated by members of the movement without any interference in the structure by any LP executive.
Aside from Ngogbehei, the party also engaged Aju Elumelu to act as the Deputy Director in charge of Diaspora affairs.
Other appointees include Mrs Mariam Ismaila (Deputy Director), Chukwuemeka Okafor (Deputy Director), Mrs Angel Innocent (Deputy Director), Tony Ashekomeh Jnr (Deputy Director), Emeka Ezechi (Deputy Director) and Josiah Omenuwoma (Deputy Director).
The statement partly 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 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, birthed in the build-up of the 2023 general election, comprises young Nigerians who see the hope of a new Nigeria in the candidacy of LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi.
The impact of the group was felt when it powered the Labour Party to a stunning performance at the February 25 presidential and national legislative elections.
To date, LP has one elected governor, 35 members of the House of Representatives, and seven senators to its credit.
