Senator Athan Nneji Achonu, the former candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in last year’s election in Imo State, has stated that Nigeria’s hope of survival from hunger is in the Labour Party.
Therefore, Achonu charged members of the party to be united and focused to be able take over the reins if governance and give Nigerians the much desired development.
The former lawmaker, who represented Imo North in the National Assembly spoke on the heels of a stakeholders meeting on the Imo Labour Party in Umuahia, Abia State.
As the leader of the party in Imo State, Achonu in a statement signed by Chief Chime Nzeribe, the Director General of the Senator Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation, also refuted stories flying around about the party, describing them as unnecessary speculations.
The statement read: “It has come to our attention that certain individuals are falsely claiming that the State Chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, has ceased to hold his position following the meeting.
“We categorically state that these claims are without merit. At no point during the stakeholders’ meeting, which Senator Achonu personally attended, was there any discussion regarding changes to the state executive of the party.”
Dismissing the report, Achonu said it could not be true since no Congress had been held where the state chairman’s replacement would emerge.
“The fact remains that no congress has been held, and until such a congress takes place, Callistus Ihejiagwa remains the duly recognised State Chairman of the Labour Party in Imo State.
“Furthermore, we remind all party members that while our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, continues with his legal battles, we are hopeful for a peaceful resolution to all disputes. Our priority is to strengthen the party, not divide it.”
He admitted that the Imo Labour Party faced some challenges but noted that they can be overcome through determination and unity among the members of the party.
He said: “In Imo State, we face numerous internal and external challenges. However, it is important to note that such challenges are not unusual in a political setting. What matters is how we resolve them.
“As the Igbo adage goes, ‘It is only a dead man whose neck cannot be adjusted’. We must accommodate alternative voices, learn lessons and strive for peaceful resolutions to keep the party on a strong footing.
“Under Senator Achonu’s leadership, we will not allow the enemies of the Labour Party to prevail. Any attempt to destabilise our ranks will not succeed.
“We call on all members of the Labour Party in Imo State to remain resolute and committed to supporting the leadership of Callistus Ihejiagwa until a congress is held, and any changes are made through our democratic processes.
Speaking on the larger Labour Party family, Achonu called on the party members to remain resolute and focused: “Furthermore, we remind all party members that while our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, continues with his legal battles, we are hopeful for a peaceful resolution to all disputes. Our priority is to strengthen the party, not divide it.”
“For the Achonu campaign, the Abure-led national executive is like the shell of the body, while the stakeholders represent the soul – neither can exist without the other.
“The Labour Party must find a way to come together and ensure that we achieve the Nigeria of our dreams, which only the Labour Party can guarantee.
“Let us focus on what truly matters – strengthening the Labour Party to deliver the positive change our people deserve,” he said.