Members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo have rejected their suspension by the party’s embattled state Chairman, Mr Callistus Ihejiagwa.

The SWC members said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, on Sunday.

Addressing newsmen, the party’s Legal Adviser, Mr Emeka Ihejirika, stated that “instead of addressing the serious allegations leveled against him, Ihejiagwa hastily convened a meeting of loyalists to orchestrate a distraction from the core issues at hand.

Report says that 13 members of the SWC had, last week, passed a Vote of No Confidence on Ihejiagwa, citing high-handed leadership, financial mismanagement, unconstitutional actions, and betrayal of the party.

On Saturday, March 15, Ihejiagwa announced the suspension of the SWC members from the party.

Ihejirika, therefore, urged Ihejiagwa to address the allegations and avoid resorting to suspending members of the SWC in an attempt to silence opposition within the party.

  ” He runs the party like a personal empire by sidelining key officials and making unilateral decisions without consultation; refusing to account for party funds and engaging in financial mismanagement.

 “ LP stakeholders from Owerri Zone have condemned Ihejiagwa’s actions, describing them as an abuse of power and a threat to the integrity of the party.

 “ At a zonal meeting  attended by notable leaders of our great party, the leaders expressed outrage over Ihejiagwa’s leadership style, anti-party activities, and lack of financial transparency.

 “ Present at the meeting were Mr Mathew Nwogu, the Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the House of Representatives; Mr Clinton Amadi, the Member representing Owerri Municipal in the Imo State House of Assembly,” he said.

Ihejirika said that the zone called for a thorough review of Ihejiagwa’s actions and financial dealings, stating that his leadership had become detrimental to the party’s growth in Imo State.

They further mandated all those “ unconstitutionally removed by the chairman” to resume their rightful positions, emphasising that Ihejiagwa’s unilateral actions had no constitutional backing. (NAN)

A former Senate, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has debunked speculations that he is planning to dump the All Progressives Congress, (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District and presently chairs the Senate Committee on Defence, declared in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo and released on Sunday that “the reports are entirely false, baseless, and without any merit.

The statement said Lawan “remains a steadfast and loyal member of the APC, a party he has proudly associated with and contributed to since its formation”, adding that”he remains a key stakeholder in the APC and will continue to work with the party and the government to ensure the success of their collective goals.

“For the record, throughout his political career spanning twenty-five years as a member of the National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Lawan is one of Nigeria’s few politicians with no defection record since inception.

“In 1999, he was elected into the House of Representatives; and transitioned to the Senate in 2007, on the platform of the All People’s Party (APP), which was later renamed ‘All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP)’.

“The ANPP was amongst the three minority parties that merged to birth the All Progressives Congress on 6th February, 2013.

“Senator Lawan is a firm believer in the vision and principles of the APC, and he continues to work tirelessly with other party leaders and members to strengthen the party and advance its agenda for the betterment of our nation,” it stressed.

The statement further reiterated the full support of the former Senate President for Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, “in his commendable efforts to deliver good governance and improve the lives of the people of the state”, saying that he remains committed to working with him to achieve the shared vision of a prosperous state.

It also expressed Lawan’s strong support for the policies and reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, declaring his believes in the administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria and addressing the challenges facing the nation.

“We urge the general public, party members, and supporters to disregard these unfounded rumours and posters, as they are nothing but the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to create unnecessary distractions and buzz for a mapped out political agenda,” the statement pleaded.

It added that “Lawan remains focused on his responsibilities as a lawmaker and a leader, and he is committed to supporting the APC-led administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in delivering good governance and sustainable development to all Nigerians.”

Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has said that no amount of political gang-up can stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, stated this in a chat with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.

The APC chieftain said that the recent defection of some APC members to other political parties was not in any way a threat to the political stability of the President and the ruling party.

Oyintiloye, while noting that defection was a normal phenomenon in politics, said it would be “a grave mistake” for anyone to think that the defection of the “so called APC members” would affect the President in 2027.

He said that those who thought the President would fail to win the 2027 election should bury such thought, adding that Tinubu has “a winning strategy in his blood.”

Oyintiloye also said that the long history of good relationships that the President had established across all the geopolitical zones would continue to work in his favour.

He said that the efforts of the President to retool and advance the course of Nigeria to achieve greatness would continue beyond 2027.

“Take it or leave it, no amount of political gang-up can stop the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

“Those who are gathering against him ahead of 2027 should try and study the kind of person the President is.

“He has the winning strategy, and he is raising men and women of goodwill across Nigeria.

“His achievements, political sagacity and love for the country will speak for him now and in the future,” he said.

Oyintiloye, also noted that the President was doing everything humanly possible to put the country on the path of greatness, adding that Tinubu’s efforts have started yielding positive results.

“The President will succeed, and his political enemies will realise the mistakes they are making by not supporting him.

“Those who are whipping up sentiments against the President should check his track records, achievements and popularity across Nigeria.

“Tinubu’s political strength, strong connection, influence and resilience which made him triumph over all obstacles to win in 2023, will see him through in 2027,” he stated.

Oyintiloye, however, advised the President to strengthen public engagement and sensitisation on the achievements of his administration in the last few months

He said that this would enable Nigerians to understand, and properly evaluate programmes and policies of the present administration.

According to him, this will enable people in making the right decision which will devoid of sentiment by looking at the positive impacts of the administration’s initiatives on the society at large.

Oyintiloye said “since Tinubu is a man of faith who believes in God, his victory is certain.” (NAN)