The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party, LP, on Thursday, raised the alarm over the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti’s monopolization of the November 2 Local Government election processes in the State.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh. The statement was titled ‘Ensuring the Integrity of Local Government Elections in Abia State.’
The faction raised the alarm barely 24 hours after the faction loyal to Otti disowned the Abure Committee.
Abure faction was set to oversee the emergence of candidates to vie in the Council election in the State.
The Committee has a former LP Chairman, Ceekay Igara, as the State Secretary, and Andrew Ohiagba, as a member.
According to the statement, Ifoh warned Otti to steer clear of the electoral process. And urged him to give the party a free hand to conduct its affairs.
Condemning Otti’s action, Ifoh said, it was such interference that forced the Supreme Court to grant autonomy to LG administration.
He noted that Local Councils ought to be catalysts for grassroots development, growth, and transformation.
“It is on this foundation that the Labour Party strongly condemns and expresses deep concern over how the upcoming Local Government elections in Abia State are being handled under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti.
“We must be vigilant to ensure that the electoral process is free from interference or manipulation by those in power. We respectfully urge His Excellency Governor Otti to lead by example. And to use Abia State as a beacon of democratic principles in Nigeria.
“We must state unequivocally that the Labour Party demands the freedom to organize its primaries without interference. It is essential that the party’s grassroots members in Abia State be allowed to freely choose their candidates through a transparent and democratic process,” he said.
The Abure-led group insisted that those selected to contest for positions, must reflect the party’s ideals of integrity, accountability, and commitment to public service. This is whether they were chosen through appointments or elections.
“While we acknowledge the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, we cannot, in good faith, overlook the potential for abuse of power. Which has characterized Local Government elections in many States across Nigeria.
“More so, as a leader who ascended to power through the collective support of the people, we expect Otti to uphold the very principles that brought him to office. He must resist the temptation to undermine the process. And instead use this election as a model for others to emulate,” the statement added.
source: PUNCH
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