Ahead of the upcoming November 2 local government elections in Abia State, the Labour Party’s state chapter has issued a firm warning to the public, urging them to disregard any announcements made by the party’s former chairman, Ceekay Igara, concerning the sale of nomination forms.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the state acting party chairman, Emmanuel Otti, stressed that all official communications related to the party’s activities must come directly from the Caretaker Committee. He advised that any contrary information should be treated as an act of impersonation and reported to the authorities.
Otti clarified that nomination forms for the party’s primaries are only available at the Labour Party’s secretariat in Umuahia, the state capital. He also emphasized that the party is committed to a transparent and fair selection process, ensuring that the entire procedure will be conducted responsibly.
“The attention of the Labour Party, Abia State chapter has been drawn to a radio announcement issued by the former chairman of the Labour Party in the state, Mr. Ceekay Igara,” Otti’s statement read.
“The public is hereby enjoined to disregard the unauthorized and misleading announcement because Mr Igara’s tenure expired along with other members of the state and National Working Committees, leading to the Independent National Electoral Commission ceasing to recognize them.”
Otti went on to explain that the party is now under the leadership of a National Caretaker Committee chaired by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman.
“The Labour Party in Abia State is not interested in extorting members of the public nor obtaining money from them by trick. We are poised to ensure that the sale of forms and the selection of candidates is done in a responsible, orderly, and peaceful manner,” Otti assured.
As the local government elections drew closer, the party’s leadership urged party members and the public to remain vigilant and to follow only official directives issued by the recognized party leadership to ensure peace throughout the electoral process.