Imo Labour Party splits over plot to remove state chairman

Labour Party, Imo State chapter, seems to have been split into two following an attempt by some state exco members to remove the state chairman of the party, Callistus Ihejiagwa, over alleged anti-party activities and other allegations leveled against him.

In a press statement signed by some members of the state working committee, it was alleged that the party chairman is running the affairs of the party as his private business, as he no longer consults with the exco members on issues concerning the party.

According to the press statement, which was read out before journalists by the spokesperson of the party, Bright Offurum, it was alleged that the party chairman has been associating with the APC-led government in the state after the defections of its two federal lawmakers to the ruling party.

Offurum further alleged that efforts made to condemn the defections of the two lawmakers by issuing an official statement against the act were rebuffed by the state chairman, whom they accused of romancing with the lawmakers even after their defections.

The party spokesperson hinted that Ihejiagwa is currently in Israel on an APC-sponsored pilgrimage.

He also said that, as a leader of one of the opposition parties in the state, the chairman has never raised a voice to condemn some administrative policies of the ruling party.

“We have lost the moral burden of promoting the needed opposition to the APC-led government.
The Imo State Labour Party chairman needs to be changed, and an acting chairman appointed pending the commencement of congress,” the statement read.

The party’s publicity secretary further accused the chairman of administrative high-handedness, saying that he was in the habit of taking unilateral decisions without involving party leaders and stakeholders.

He added that Ihejiagwa single-handedly changed party leaders in the various LGAs and wards and replaced them with people not known by the party.

“There is great tension in the party now, and it must be handled immediately by urging the state chairman to step down to avoid the disintegration of the party.
The elected federal and state lawmakers are not happy with him, including the major stakeholders and party faithful,” the release further read.

Responding to the attempt to remove the state chairman, Chima Igbo Onyeisiala, the publicity secretary of the other group, described the act as an ill-conceived attempt coming from former members of the party sacked by the current party leadership under Ihejiagwa.

He pointed out that those behind the move were driven by selfish interests and monetary inducements.

“We are fully aware that these individuals were sponsored by a few leaders in the party who previously sponsored and participated in the failed attempt to remove our national chairman, Julius Abure, the NWC, and the NEC.
By the special grace of God, they have failed again,” he stated.

Onyeisiala explained that the process of removing a state chairman is clearly outlined in the party’s constitution and that anything outside it is null and void.

He used the medium to enjoin party faithful and the public to disregard what he described as a shameful display of desperation, maintaining that the party is one in the state and remains firm under the leadership of Ihejiagwa.