‘Don’t Jail Yourself’ – Labour Party Warns Self-Proclaimed Chairman, Okafor

The Labour Party (LP) has issued a stern warning to Callistus Okafor, who has declared himself the party’s National Chairman, cautioning him against risking imprisonment for contempt of court.

National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, delivered this warning on Friday in Abuja in response to Okafor’s claim to the chairmanship.

Earlier, Okafor had held a news conference where he asserted his involvement in the 2014 National Convention of the Labour Party and unilaterally declared himself the National Chairman of the party.

Ifoh stated, “This latest development comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja recently validated the Nnewi Convention of the Labour Party, which produced a new set of executives led by Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman.

“We wish to make it clear that Callistus Okafor could be seen as a dramatist seeking to entertain. We are unsure who is encouraging this former party member, even after two successful National Conventions have been held and the party has progressed beyond his claims.

“Nigerians will recall that in 2021, Callistus Okafor also declared himself as the National Chairman and took his case to court, failing both in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal explicitly stated that Okafor cannot use the Consent Judgement to claim the national chairmanship of the Labour Party. The court reprimanded him and dismissed his suit with significant costs, which he has yet to settle.

“We are shocked and surprised that Okafor has resurfaced, defying the Court of Appeal’s decision.”