The raging controversy about who is the authentic candidate of Labour Party, LP, for the November, 11, governorship election in Imo State, has been finally settled as the national leadership of the party, on Tuesday August,22,2023 affirmed that Senator Athan Achonu is the party’s flag bearer, having emerged at the primary election conducted at Landmark Event Center, new Owerri.
The National Leader and presidential candidate of the party Peter Obi, the National Chairman, Barr Julius Abure and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, who was Chairman, of governorship primary election committee stated this in their separate speeches at the official flag off of the Labour Party governorship campaign in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Tuesday before handing the party’s flag to Senator Athan Nneji Achonu.
Peter Obi in his speech at the occasion said, “when I joined Labour Party, I met Bar Julius Abure as the National Chairman, a position he still occupies till date. The party’s national executive council which he presides over, set up a competent primary election committee headed by a man of integrity and impeccable character, in the person of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as Chairman, with Valentine Ozigbo as Secretary. The committee conducted a free, fair and transparent primary election which produced Senator Athan Achonu as the governorship candidate of Labour Party”.
I am therefore in Owerri today to let the people of Imo State know that Labour Party does not have any other candidate for the November, 11, election except Senator Athan Achonu”.
He urged the people to support and vote for him, adding that Labour Party remains committed to its vision of changing the narrative of governance in Nigeria leader also pointed out that the hope on the faces and voices of Abians today, is a pointer to the good governance they are experiencing presently.
The LP Presidential candidate who’s in court challenging the outcome of 2023 Presidential election generally perceived as deeply flawed, also reiterated his position that he has the capacity to fix Nigeria.
Obi further disclosed that what Nigeria need today are people who do what they preach and not those who preach one thing and do another.
Reacting, Gov Otti of Abia State said he was in Owerri to bear witness to the fact that he chaired the primary election committee, and that Senator Achonu was the man who won the election.
He made it clear that having become governorship candidate through a due and legitimate process, the party has thrown its full weight behind him and will give him all necessary support to win the coming election.
He told the mammoth crowd to ignore completely any other persons claiming to be candidate of the party, adding that anyone making such spurious claim is fake and a pretender.
Dr Otti said he was confident that Senator Achonu when elected will replicate what he’s doing in Abia in Imo, noting that though his administration is less than one hundred days in office, so many good things have already happened in Abia State.
He disclosed that what is taking place in the state is as a result of the fact that Labour Party is action and people oriented, assuring that by the time he’s done implementing his roadmap for the state, Abians will testify to the uniqueness of LP.
The national chairman of the party, Barr Julius Abure told Imo people that having tried both APC and PDP and got disappointed by both of them, the November election offers them a good opportunity to chose a new product symbolized by Labour Party.
He further stated that the party stands for progress, productivity, security and welfare and assured that Imo electorate will reap those benefits if they support and vote the candidate of the party.
The governorship candidate, Senator Achonu said his manifesto is focused on growing and developing the state through power generation, establishment of agricultural parks, industrialization, resuscitation of infrastructure, security and return of the state back to its status as a the tourism and entertainment hub of Nigeria.
The “Take Back Imo” Campaign boss said he was not making ordinary promises, but saying what he will do when elected, having already started as a private individual to implement his industrialization and security roadmap, with construction of a world class agro industry in Umunumo, Ehime Mbano LGA and investment of over one million dollars in refurbishing of Imo Police Commands’ Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) for securing lives and properties of Imolites.
Senator Achonu who is flying the party’s flag for the November governorship election alongside Hon Tony Nwulu his running mate, assured that his administration will never let the people down if given the mandate, even as he urged the electorate to vote him and his deputy in the poll remains committed to its vision of changing the narrative of governance in Nigeria.
According to him, Governor Alex Otti is already exhibiting what the party has in stock for the people, stressing that the lost glory of Abia State, is gradually being restored.
