…Tells Chairman to Answer to Anti-Party Allegations First
…As Owerri Stakeholders Condemn Abuse of Power by State Chairman
The State Working Committee (SWC) of the Labour Party in Imo State has disowned the purported suspension of party members by the embattled State Chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, who has been accused of anti-party activities, abuse of power, and financial recklessness.
Speaking to newsmen, the Legal Adviser of the party, Barr. Ihejirika Eze Emeka, stated that “instead of addressing the serious allegations leveled against him, Ihejiagwa hastily convened a meeting of loyalists to orchestrate a distraction from the core issues at hand.”
Recall that 13 members of the SWC had, last week, passed a Vote of No Confidence on Ihejiagwa, citing high-handed leadership, financial mismanagement, unconstitutional actions, and betrayal of the party. Some of the allegations against him include:
“Running the party like a personal empire by sidelining key officials and making unilateral decisions without consultation; Refusing to account for party funds and engaging in financial mismanagement. He was also accused of being a lackey of the APC, as well as Illegally usurping SWC functions, restructuring the party’s leadership at both state and local levels without due process among other allegations.”
Rather than responding to these weighty allegations, Ihejiagwa resorted to suspending members of the SWC in a desperate attempt to silence opposition within the party.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from Owerri Zone have condemned Ihejiagwa’s actions, describing them as an abuse of power and a threat to the integrity of the party.
At a zonal meeting, attended by notable leaders including Hon. Attorney Mathew Nwogu, the Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the House of Representatives, and Hon. Clinton Amadi, the Member representing Owerri Municipal in the Imo State House of Assembly, the stakeholders expressed outrage over Ihejiagwa’s leadership style, anti-party activities, and lack of financial transparency.
The zone called for a thorough review of Ihejiagwa’s actions and financial dealings, stating that his leadership had become detrimental to the party’s growth in Imo State. They further mandated all those unconstitutionally removed by the chairman to resume their rightful positions, emphasizing that Ihejiagwa’s unilateral actions have no constitutional backing.
The crisis within the Labour Party in Imo State continues to deepen as pressure mounts on Ihejiagwa to answer to the allegations against him and cease further attempts to undermine the party’s structure.
