The Labour Party has called for the immediate release of its National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Mr. Ceekay Igara, who was arrested by the police.
The party expressed its concern in a statement issued by its Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Olorunfemi, Igara was apprehended by police in Aba while attending a meeting with other party leaders.
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He stated that the arrest took place without any warrant, leaving the party leadership shocked by the incident.
“Labour Party leadership is totally in shock over this development, particularly as it is coming on the orders of the party’s only state governor,” Olorunfemi said.
The party expressed frustration that Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, under the Labour Party’s platform, seemed to be turning against the party that supported him during the 2023 governorship election.
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Olorunfemi highlighted how the party had rallied to defend Otti’s victory but now faced hostility from the governor.
“The party is worried that Dr. Alex Otti, who it laboured for in the 2023 governorship election and defended his victory, has suddenly turned to be a tiger ready to tear apart the party,” he added.
Olorunfemi further explained that Otti had hosted an extended stakeholders’ meeting in Abia and subsequently formed a caretaker committee, which appeared to be a move to wrest control of the party’s leadership.
He also pointed out that the courts had already affirmed the leadership of Mr. Julius Abure and validated the Nnewi convention, after which the party had extended an olive branch to the governor.
“We are sincerely at a loss as to why he is still working hard to destabilise and destroy the same party that gave him shelter when he needed it most,” Olorunfemi remarked, lamenting Otti’s alleged actions.
He also criticized the governor for resorting to what he described as political intimidation, stating, “It is surprising that he has resorted to introducing brute and anachronistic forms of political intimidation.”
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Reflecting on Otti’s behavior since assuming office, Olorunfemi said, “It is often said that power does not change a man, rather power only brings out the true nature of a man.”
He concluded by demanding Igara’s immediate release from police custody or, alternatively, for him to be charged to court within the legally required 24-hour timeframe.
