Abia state Labour Party ( LP ) rose from an enlarged state stakeholders meeting held at the weekend saying that though the party experience during the 2, November 2024 local government election was lamentable, it did not weaken the party or discourage the members.
The LP, led by the state governor Dr Alex Otti, who is the only elected LP governor in Nigeria in 2023 election, was engulfed in internal crisis resulting from leadership division and factionalization, did not win any chairman or councillor position in the said election which eleven other political parties contested in.
Under the scenario, the hitherto party’s election aspirants on the side of the governor had, for fear of not being endorsed as the party’s candidates by the INEC recognized Julius Abule – led LP National leadership, reportedly decamped to the Zenith Labour Party ( ZLP), used its platform and successfully contested in the election.
After the election, the ZLP and Young Progressive Party (YPP) won 15 and two (2) Chairman positions of the state 17 LGAs leaving the governor Otti led state LP with none.
Chairman of the state LP , Hon Emma Nweze Otti told party members during their meeting that the party has gotten over the experience and bounced back still under governor Otti’s dynamic and progressive leadership of the party and his able governance of the state.
He debunked the insinuation in some quarters that the governor was making overtures to lead the LP into the ZLP or any other political party but rather, has re-invigorated and re-positioned the state LP.
The LP State Chairman urged party members during the meeting that was the first after the Council Poll, to use the yuletide and new year period to re-invigorate the party in their Wards.
” Let us continue to uphold the tenets of democracy and educate our members and Abians on governor Otti’s laudable programs , activities and achievements to encourage him to do more”.
He tasked the elected LG Chairmen, alias Mayors, to strive to surpass their predecessors lauded performances within their short one year in office.
” The Mayors did marvelously well and we urge their successors to do far better hence they have longer statutory tenure of Office”
The meeting ended with members unanimously ovating and padding Vote of Confidence on governor Otti as the state LP leader and renewed their support to his administration.
