The Labour Party, LP, Imo State chapter has disowned the party’s Presidential Campaign Council recently constituted by Prof Pat Utomi for the state.
According to the party, the State Working Committee, its chairman, Ambrose Onyekwere and the leadership of the party only learnt of the constitution and inauguration of the campaign council in the media.
The party stated that even Prof. Utomi has described the inauguration as a gross error which would be corrected.
In a statement signed by the state Chairman, Chief Ambrose Onyekwere, the party revealed that a three-member delegation of the so-called Presidential Campaign Council visited the state secretariat on August 16.
According to Onyekwere, the delegation spokesman, Fabian Ihekweme also admitted of the error in their constitution but pledged to work harmoniously with the Labout Party.
Onyekwere described the inauguration of the campaign council in Imo State as a joke taken too far which cannot be recognized by the Imo State chapter.
The statement reads in part; “That the Labour Party, Imo State Chapter was aware that Prof. Pat Utomi was in the state as the National leader of the National Consultative forum to attend the endorsement of Mr. Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP), and no more than this.
“That neither the State working committee, its Chairman, Dr. Ambrose Onyekwere, nor the entire leadership of the party including its candidates, stake holders and members were aware of the constitution and inauguration of OBI/DATTI campaign council inaugurated by Prof. Pat Utomi, on 12th August, until it zoomed into public space.
“That Prof. Pat Utomi, when approached on this matter by the state Chairman, pleaded that it was “a gross error” and that it would be corrected.
“That on the 16th of August, a self-acclaimed cell of the so called presidential campaign council visited the Imo State Labour party Headquarters. Three of the visitors including Dr. Fabian Ihekweme spoke, and they in turn admitted that there was an error in the inauguration in Imo State. They pledged to work closely and harmoniously with the Labour Party.
“In his response, the Imo State Chairman, Dr. Ambrose Onyekwere made it clear that the party in Imo does not recognize the “Campaign Council” and drew their attention to the publication issued by the National Publicity Secretary of Labour party regarding the appointment of Mr. Charles Odibo as the head of communication of Labour Party presidential system council which he described as unconstitutional and inappropriate. The Chairman, further directed them to revert to the National Chairman of Labour Party and get their act well.
“Finally, the Labour Party, Imo State hereby reiterate our complete alignment to Labour Party National working committee’s position that the formation and inauguration of presidential campaign council in Imo State is a joke taken too far and can best be described as null and void, and as such not recognized by labour Party, Imo State Chapter
