Abuja, Nigeria – The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to representing marginalized and underrepresented Nigerians, stating that the LP is a political home for those who often lack a voice in national affairs.
Speaking on Thursday during the inauguration of the party’s Directorate for Physically Challenged Persons in Abuja, Abure emphasized that the Labour Party stands apart from other political platforms due to its social democratic values and deliberate inclusion of disadvantaged individuals.
“The Labour Party is for those who have no voice — those who ordinarily would not be recognized in the scheme of things,” Abure said. “Whether it is because of gender, physical condition, financial status, or any form of social disadvantage, we deliberately look out for and empower these people.”
Abure cited the example of a commercial motorcyclist — popularly known as an “Okada rider” — who won a seat in the House of Representatives during the 2023 general elections under the LP, highlighting the party’s openness to grassroots participation and unconventional candidates.
“It is only in the Labour Party that an Okada rider can rise to become a member of the House of Representatives,” he noted. “This party creates room for those who are disabled by Nigeria’s exploitative political system — not just physically, but economically and socially.”
He further explained that the concept of disability extends beyond physical impairments to include systemic barriers that prevent passionate and capable individuals from leading.
“If you have the leadership qualities, the passion for community development, and the capacity to make a difference but are denied opportunities because of the way politics is played in Nigeria, then the Labour Party is your destination,” he added.
Abure emphasized that the party’s commitment to inclusion must begin internally, urging LP members to embody the change they want to see in the nation.
“If we say we want to change Nigeria, that change must start with us. Charity must begin at home — from the ward chairmen to the national level,” he said.
The inauguration of the Directorate of Physically Challenged Persons marks a step toward deeper inclusion within the Labour Party’s structure and a renewed focus on empowering people living with disabilities across Nigeria.
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