LP: “Mr Peter Obi cannot be disobeying Court Judgements and still be looking for Court judgement in the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal PEPT” – LP National Youth Leader
Tensions appear to be rising within the Labour Party (LP) and the circle surrounding their presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
This unfolds amid demonstrations that have erupted during Peter Obi’s visit to Owerri, Imo State, where he was scheduled to kickstart the party’s gubernatorial campaign in the region.
According to information received by Top Society, it has been disclosed that Senator Athan Nneji Achonu, the gubernatorial candidate for Labour Party, is a factional nominee who had been dismissed by the court. Despite this, he has received the endorsement of Peter Obi.
Nonetheless, this development has been met with a blend of emotions, as a faction aligned with Chief Joseph Ukaegbu, the candidate who allegedly secured a court ruling against Achonu, is presently staging protests in Owerri. They are urging Obi to honor the court’s decision.
Read: Court of Appeal Validates Abure’s Position As National Chairman Of Labour Party
A group of youths suspected to be party supporters are currently engaged in protests at the well-known IMSU junction in Owerri. This location is just a short distance from the site where Obi is scheduled to participate in the campaign launch.
The flag off is set to take place at the Kanu Nwankwo Sports Center in Owerri.
The demonstrating youths are holding placards displaying diverse messages and chanting protest songs, vehemently opposing the occurrence of the event.
“Peter Obi Enough is Enough”
“Athan Achuonu is not a member of LP. Peter Obi You are not a member of LP. Leave our party alone”
Despite claims, the Imo State branch of the Labour Party (LP) asserted that Senator Athan Achonu remains the party’s candidate for the upcoming November 11 gubernatorial election in the state. The party maintains that Senator Achonu’s candidacy has not been invalidated by any court ruling.
Responding to the reports that Achonu had been dismissed by an Appeal Court in Owerri, the Imo LP issued a statement in Owerri, signed by its Chairman, Mr. Calistus Ihejiagwa. The statement referred to the reports as “deceptive and crafty” and upheld the stance that Achonu continued to be the party’s candidate.
Basil Maduka, a party member, had filed a petition with a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, urging the court to substitute Achonu with Chief Joseph Ukaegbu, another party member. However, on June 23, the Court, under the guidance of Justice B.O. Quadri, rejected the suit citing insufficient grounds and concluded that the matter was beyond its jurisdiction.
In the interim, the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, through a statement provided to Top Society, has affirmed that Chief Ukaegbu Ikechukwu Joseph Ikenga is the legitimate LP candidate for the Imo State off-season Gubernatorial Election on November 11, 2023. He insists that he was selected through the Gubernatorial primaries held on April 16, 2023, organized by the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Alhaji Lamidi Bashiru Apapa, a decision that was upheld by both the Owerri High Court and the Appellate Court rulings.
He emphasized that it’s contradictory for Peter Obi to disregard court rulings while seeking court judgments in the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
Comrade Eragbe urged Obi to cease his endorsement of Barr Julius Abure, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Ojukwu Clement, and Mrs. Oluchi Opara. This call stems from the FCT High Court Order dated April 5, 2023, which restrains them from presenting themselves as the National Chairman and Executives of the Labour Party (LP).