Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has pledged to support the Labour Party candidate in the September 21 governorship poll in Edo State, Mr Olumide Akpata.
Otti made the pledge in Umuahia where he convened a meeting to reconcile the candidate with aggrieved aspirants in the LP governorship primary election.
Addressing newsmen after a close door meeting with members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Akpata, and aggrieved aspirants, Governor Otti said LP has been united to face the forthcoming poll as one family.
Gov. Otti said that the LP governorship candidate had the capacity to run in the election and predicted victory for the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party. You can see both the candidate and aspirants, so we sat down together, took a report of what happened, looked at all the issues so that we could have some reconciliations, ready for the election that would happen later in the year.
“Reconciliation is very vital. People sometimes after an election get offended and it can always happen so, I can assure you that there is a lot of progress that we have made today.”
In an interview, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, said that they were in Abia to discuss the outcome of their primary elections with Governor Otti and leaders of the party.
“We just concluded our party primaries in Edo and the fall out of it is what you see us dealing with today under the leadership of His Excellency the Governor of Abia State. We were able to bring most of the aspirants together with the candidate in order to have a formidable force that would go into the campaign.
“I am sure all the gray areas that the aspirants were having have been sorted out today. I’m sure that we are coming out more united, we are coming out stronger and will be able to face the challenges in Edo.”
Fielding questions also from newsmen, the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, dismissed the rumour of internal crises in the party, insisting that the problems of the party had also been sponsored externally.
“I must make it clear that the internal crisis you talked about is overblown. Apart from the issue we had with the National Treasurer, I think that we have no other internal matter. All other ones we’ve been having are external and we have dealt with it sufficiently.”
Abure eulogized Governor Otti for his giant strides in Abia State, describing as a good ambassador of the party.
“You can see the beautiful work the Governor of Abia State is doing within the limit of the resources of the Governor in Abia State within nine months in office, you can see the difference already showing in Abia State.
“This is what we talk about that leadership is about commitment; leadership is about your passion to work for the people and this is what Labour Party has to put on the table and it is for this reason that we are being vilified. This is why we are being harassed but we will remain undaunted.”
The LP governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata said that the aspirants were in Abia to meet the Governor of Abia State and leader of Labour party in Nigeria.
He described the difference Governor Otti is making in Abia State as a unique selling point of the Labour Party as it is a people central party and the last hope of Nigeria and expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious in the forthcoming Governorship election in Edo State.
Other dignitaries at the event were the LP National Secretary, Ahl. Farouk Umar; LP National Organizing Secretary, Chief Clement Ojukwu; National Woman Leader, Madam Dudu Manuga; Abia State Labour Party Chairman, Ceekey Igara; Abia Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, among other stakeholders.
Addressing the press also, one of the aspirants, Dr Blessing Akele, also said the meeting was very successful.
She said that the aggrieved aspirants had resolved to rally behind the party’s candidate.
The female aspirant said that their differences had been resolved and all parties agreed to work together as a united family.
“We came to meet with the LP only Governor, Dr Alex Otti; and to settle our grievances in view of the forthcoming election. Having one house will be more efficient for us to win this election.
“We have reached an understanding, and the grievances have been ironed out. And we all agreed to work together to deliver our party and our candidate.”
Adding his voice, the Edo LP Chairman, Ogbaloi, said the party had united for victory ahead of the September poll.
He said LP was more united and ready to move into the election, predicting victory for the party.
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