IMO LABOUR PARTY HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS' MEETING

HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS, 

GIVES REASONS WHY PARTY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN LGA POLLS

By Dorcas Samson Achi 

The Imo State Labour Party (LP) on Saturday 20th of July, 2024 held it's 2nd quarter Stakeholders' Meeting at the Rento Hotel, Owerri, where critical stakeholders and reputable leaders of the party gathered and deliberated on relevant issues ranging from the forthcoming party congresses, the party's non participation in the Imo LGA election, the membership of the party, the party's roadmap towards victory in elections amongst sundry issues.

The chairman of the party, Barr. Calistus Ihejiagwa expressed thanks to the Stakeholders for leaving their numerous engagements to respond to the invitation, saying that their commitments and contributions so far has sustained the party. 

Speaking on the state of the party, Barr. Ihejiagwa revealed that labour party is peaceful, progressive and working hard to ensure victory for the party, stressing that there is no crisis rocking the party as misconstrued by many in different media platforms. He reinstated that the party is focused, unabated and intentional about its growth and progress even as it is set to hold state congresses in two months time.

The chairman gave detailed account of the registration and revalidation exercise that the party has embarked on, revealing that so far the party has about fifteen thousand registered and revalidated members of the party in Imo state, expressing hope that the numerical strength will enormously increase before the conclusion of the exercise.

The National Youth Leader of the party, Prince Kennedy Ahanaotu who represented the National President Barr. Julius Abure thanked the Stakeholders for converging to discuss strategies of advancing the party. He stated that the party has had seasons of fights which he said it's peculiar to every organization, stressing that greatness comes with high level of challenges. 

He emphasized that labour party is a unique party with excellent constitution and manifesto that centers on good governance, people oriented leadership and welfare of the masses. He advised the stakeholders not to compare labour party with APC or PDP but to protect the core values, ingredients and features that differentiates the party.

According to him, the party's decision not to participate in the forthcoming LGA elections in Imo state was taken after due consultations with critical stakeholders of the party in Imo who unequivocally stated that they do not believe that the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) under the authority of Senator Hope Uzodinma can guarantee a free and fair process in the election, hence there is no need wasting energy, time and resources in a venture which result is already known.

Hon. Attorney Matthew Nwaogu, the Federal Rep Member representing Aboh Mbaise, Ngor Okpala Federal constituency who was present at the event expressed joy that Labour Party has given him the platform to represent his federal constituency at the National Assembly while promising not to disappoint or abandon the party but to always contribute his quota as a duty to ensure the sustainability of the party.

Hon. Tochukwu Okere whose presence graciously excited the crowd, expressed gratitude to labour party for his victory which he said has given him the opportunity as a Rep Member to carry out laudable educational, agricultural, skill acquisition projects in his constituency.

He charged the party to remain focused, show commitment and loyalty to the party, as he emphasized that the congresses must be a transparent, honest, free and fair process where people of capacity shall be chosen to pilot the affairs of the party. 

Speaking to the press at the event, the state Chairman reiterated that the Imo State Labour Party will not participate in the LGA election because the party is fully aware that the election which will be conducted by ISIEC under the control of Gov. Uzodinma can never be a credible and uncompromised election process. 

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion includes the Imo State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Sen. Athan Nneji Achonu, Prof. Francis Dike (SAN) former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Imo state, Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Njoku, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Imo State, Chief Dr. Chimee Nzeribe, the campaign DG, Athan Achonu Campaign Organization, Hon. Clinton Amadi, House Member representing Owerri Municipal in the Imo State House of Assembly, amongst many others.