The Chairman of the State Working Committee of the Labour Party in Abia State, Prince G.O Ndubueze has called on the Governor of the state, Dr Alex Otti to respect the party’s constitution and allow the Local Government Chairmen to emerge through a democratic process......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
In a press conference on Friday in Aba, Prince Ndubueze alleged that some people were sent by the Governor to pick candidates, instead of a democratic process through legitimate party primaries. This is ahead of the Local Government elections which will take place in Abia on November 2, 2024
“Some Special Advisers to the Governor began to go from Local Government to Local Government, saying that the Governor mandated them to select two or three persons that he will anoint as chairmen and deputy of the Local Government.
In my own local government, a lady came, combined a list and about 25 people came on board to contest the election as Chairmen of the Local Government. She said the Governor needs two or more persons. We said no, this is not democratic process.”
He also lamented that the Governor has neglected the party, the vehicle through which he got political power. He said the Mayors appointed by the Governor do not assist the party at the grassroots level; giving excuses that they are technocrats and not politicians.
“It appears that we have worked and others are reaping the fruits of our Labour. The Mayors and the Councilors and their Deputies, the party did not make contribution of one person among them. And the people who are appointed are not interested in the welfare and progress of the party.”
Recently, there have been rumours that the Governor would replicate what Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara did in Rivers State in the local Government elections, where he was reported to have supported another political party to get victory at the polls. Prince Ndubueze said Otti should stick to the party and pay the price for peace to rein.
“The rumour we are hearing is that Dr. Alex Otti has gone to Zenith Labour Party to import candidates. We are compelling Dr Alex Otti to pay the price for peace to rein in Abia State. If the court has decided that Abure is the authentic Chairman, why are you still fighting him? Why do you want to disregard us who laboured for Labour Party?”
On Thursday, an Abia State High Court in Obehie issued an order restraining Prince G.O Ndubueze from parading himself as leading the party in Abia State. A ruling he said would be vacated.
On the position of Emmanuel Otti as Acting Chairman of the party, Prince Ndubueze said the National Working Committee of the Party has since removed Otti as Acting Chairman and the decision is legitimate, having been made by two-third majority of the party’s NWC. He reiterated that the party’s constitution must be followed as it is supreme.
“Emmanuel does not know what the constitution of Labour Party is all about. There is nothing you can do outside the constitution of Labour Party. The constitution makes it clear that you can be removed by two-third majority of the National Working Committee when your appointment comes from the National. If it is from the State, two-third from the state can remove you.”
He insisted that the NWC of the party duly removed Emmanuel Otti and that the decision remains valid.