Crisis Rocks Imo Labour Party as Faction Moves to Oust State Chairman

The Labour Party (LP) in Imo State is facing an internal crisis as a faction of the State Working Committee (SWC) moves to remove the state chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, over alleged anti-party activities and other infractions.

In a press statement signed by some members of the SWC and read by the party’s spokesperson, Bright Offurum, the faction accused Ihejiagwa of running the party like his private business, disregarding consultations with executive members.

The statement alleged that the chairman has been associating with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state, particularly after two of the party’s federal lawmakers defected to the ruling party.

According to Offurum, efforts to issue an official statement condemning the defections were blocked by Ihejiagwa, whom they accused of maintaining close ties with the defected lawmakers.

Offurum further claimed that Ihejiagwa is currently in Israel on an APC-sponsored pilgrimage, raising concerns about his loyalty to the opposition party.

“We have lost the moral burden of promoting the needed opposition to the APC-led government.

The Imo State Labour Party chairman needs to be changed, and an acting chairman appointed pending the commencement of congress,” the statement read.

The faction also accused Ihejiagwa of administrative high-handedness, alleging that he unilaterally changed party leaders at the local government and ward levels without consultation.

“There is great tension in the party now, and it must be handled immediately by urging the state chairman to step down to avoid the disintegration of the party,” the statement added, noting that elected lawmakers and major stakeholders were unhappy with his leadership.

Ihejiagwa’s Supporters Fire Back

Reacting to the move to remove Ihejiagwa, another faction of the party, led by its publicity secretary, Chima Igbo Onyeisiala, dismissed the allegations as an attempt by former party members who were sacked by the current leadership.

Onyeisiala alleged that the individuals behind the move were being sponsored by certain party leaders who had previously attempted to remove the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure.

“We are fully aware that these individuals were sponsored by a few leaders in the party who previously sponsored and participated in the failed attempt to remove our national chairman, Julius Abure, the NWC, and the NEC. By the special grace of God, they have failed again,” he stated.

He further stressed that the process of removing a state chairman is clearly outlined in the Labour Party constitution, warning that any action taken outside the party’s guidelines is invalid.

Onyeisiala urged party members and the public to disregard what he described as a “shameful display of desperation,” insisting that the Labour Party in Imo State remains united under the leadership of Callistus Ihejiagwa.

With both factions holding firm to their positions, the crisis threatens to further divide the party in the state ahead of upcoming political activities.