The Labour Party, Abia State Chapter, has disclaimed a misleading radio announcement by former chairman Ceekay Igara concerning the sale of nomination forms for the upcoming Local Government elections. Acting Chairman Emmanuel Nwaeze Oti emphasized that only the Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, is authorized to handle such matters and urged the public to disregard any unauthorized instructions.
The Labour Party, Abia State Chapter, has issued a strong warning to the public, urging them to disregard a misleading announcement allegedly made by the former chairman of the party, Ceekay Igara. In a radio broadcast, it was alleged that Mr. Igara directed the public on where to purchase nomination forms for the party’s upcoming Local Government Primaries. However, the party has clarified that Mr. Igara’s tenure as Chairman of the party has long expired.
Acting Chairman of the Labour Party in Abia State, Emmanuel Nwaeze Oti, emphasized in an official statement on October 2, 2024, that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) no longer recognizes Mr. Igara’s leadership or that of his colleagues due to the expiration of their terms. In response, the party has set up a National Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, to oversee all party activities, including candidate selection for the upcoming Local Government elections.
Mr. Oti reiterated that any communication or directive related to party affairs, including the sale of nomination forms, must come directly from the Caretaker Committee. He further advised the public to report any unauthorized announcements to the appropriate authorities, stating, “Anything to the contrary should be viewed as an act of impersonation.”
The Labour Party Abia State Chapter stressed that they are committed to a transparent and lawful process for selecting candidates for the primaries. According to Mr. Oti, “The Labour Party is not interested in extorting members of the public nor obtaining money from them by trick. We are dedicated to ensuring that the sale of forms and the selection of candidates are carried out in a responsible, orderly, and peaceful manner.”
In conclusion, the party has reassured the public that peace and order will be maintained throughout the primaries, ensuring that the process remains fair and free of any undue influence.