– debunks negative insinuations by detractors
The National Vice Chairman (South East) of Labour Party, Chief Innocent Okeke has once again affirmed that the party conducted free, fair and credible transparent primary election through which Senator Athan Achonu emerged as candidate for the November, 11, Imo State Governorship election.
Okeke who stated this in a release Captioned ‘’Imo Labour Party And Conduct Of Free, Fair Credible Election’’ which he personally signed stated that, ‘’ As follow up to my earlier disposition on the conduct of our party’s Governorship election in Imo State, it is no longer news that our party oversaw one of the most rancour free primary elections in Nigeria, to produce a candidate for November 11, Imo governorship election.
“The party conducted the freest, fairest and most credible primary elections for the emergence of a candidate. The exercise reaffirmed the genuine call for a paradigm shift in line with the new Nigerian mantra. Apart from having INEC staff to supervise the Primary, security agents and observers were on ground to observe the entire exercise.
“The winner of the election, Senator Athan Achonu did not spring a surprise as he was always among the top three of likely winners of the election.
“At present, Labour Party in Imo is concerned about building bridges and embarking on genuine reconciliation of all aggrieved members, bearing in mind that what is happening in the Labour Party is not peculiar to it. It is common with party administration in Nigeria.
“Based on the foregoing, I urge every aggrieved aspirant to apply caution and shun any form of blackmail against the party and it’s members as we recently saw in a trending voice message, purporting that our governorship candidate, Senator Athan Achonu has a deal with the incumbent governor to undermine the party’s expected victory in Imo which is not true.
“The above assumption is not only laughable but exposes the desperation of the originator. We must embrace the spirit of sportsmanship. Let those defeated in a fair contest congratulate the winner and work for the party’s victory as we have over time witnessed in all the other states where Labour Party conducted her governorship primaries.
“Contrary to what naysayers are selling to the unsuspecting public, the election was done strictly in compliance with the delegates’ list as they emerged from their wards after credible congresses. As we know, each ward represents a community in the state. This simply means that 305 Imo state communities gathered at the Landmark Event Centre Owerri, on the 15th April 2023, to elect the best candidate to fly the flag of Labour Party for the forth coming election. Each Community in the state was given an opportunity to contribute to who later became the standard bearer of our party.
“As National Vice Chairman(South East) of our great party and a member of the Electoral Committee, I attest to the fact that every process taken to conduct the primary was transparent and without bias. We understood that it was never going to be easy managing sixteen aspirants in a single election, but we did it seamlessly to the applause of the contestants. Those trying to plant seed of discord in our party over the conduct of the primary election should have a rethink. They should rather explore avenues provided in the party’s constitution in seeking redress, not by mudslinging.
“The party and our candidate will accommodate everyone in the scheme of things.
“I therefore, seize this medium to salute all the aspirants for their commitment and conduct throughout the period of canvassing for votes.
“Labour party is very proud of you all. I also appeal to you to join hands with the party and produce the next executive governor on the ticket of Labour Party for Imo State’’.
