FCT Labour Party splits over Kingibe, as senatorial ticket becomes doubtful.
Mr Peter Obi
From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
Serious cracks have emerged within the Federal Capital Territory branch of the Labour Party (LP), barely three weeks to the February 25th 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections, over the refusal of a section of party members to support the FCT Senatorial Candidate of the party, Mrs Ireti Kingibe, the only woman vying for the position in the territory.
A coalition of support groups, made up mainly of Labour Party members from the Middle Belt, South East, South South and South West geopolitical zones and supporters of other political parties led by Comrade Olisa Uzoewulu [Wulus] had shifted their support from Mrs Ireti Kingibe to the All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA] candidate, Dr Anthony Chike Ezekwugo, saying that the APGA flagbearer stands a better chance than Kingibe.
The group also accused Ireti Kingibe of planning to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress after winning the election on the ticket of the Labour Party, having related with the APC Presidential Candidate on an intimate base in the past.
In a swift reaction however, the FCT Chairman of the Labour Party Comrade Peter Chinedu kicked and dissociated himself from the group and threatened to expel the members including, Elder Olisa Uzoewulu Mgboroguorji [Wulus], who is the Chairman of Peter Obi/Datti Campaign Organisation in the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, the camp of the LP FCT Senatorial Candidate, Mrs Ireti Kingibe has been thrown into disarray as fear spread among loyal members that the candidate will likely suffer disqualification like Chief Victor Umeh who was disqualified by a court from contesting the 2023 senatorial election under the banner of the Labour Party for not properly resigning from the All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA] before picking the Labour Party ticket to contest the senatorial election.
It was gathered that the FCT LP candidate, Mrs Ireti Kingibe also emerged as the senatorial flagbearer of the party under similar circumstances to Chief Victor Umeh and may be disqualified from the election.
Reacting to the feud in the FCT branch of the party in an interview, Elder Olisa Uzoewulu said, “Our position on this matter is very clear. For the national, we would vote for Peter Obi. For the FCT senatorial seat, we would vote for Dr. Anthony. It is not a matter of party anymore but we want to vote for individuals who can perform better. We have passed the stage of voting for parties because Nigeria is drifting.
“Parties are like vehicles that drive the candidates. Parties are only nomenclatures. We have a social contract with the candidates we are supporting. We in the FCT have to decide which people we can support to favour and defend our interests.”
Meanwhile, one of the eighteen registered political parties, known as the Action Alliance has adopted the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flagbearer, Dr. Anthony Chike Ezekwugo as its preferred candidate for the Senatorial election coming up on February 25th 2023.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Action Alliance group led by Comrade Augustine Onwukpo, said the adoption of Dr. Ezekwugo was based on merit, his past record of achievements as a businessman and competence.
He said that members of the party will line-up behind the candidate due to his ability to move development processes in the Federal Capital Territory and also improve the welfare of residents of the territory.
Onwukpo urged marginalised residents of Abuja to do whatever it takes to change the narrative because the incumbent senator has not done anything useful to uplift the living standards of the people in the territory.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the FCT Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Comrade Uzoewulu (Wulus) who is also the Chairman of the Southern-Middlebelt Concourse applauded the party for supporting the APGA Candidate stressing that even the Labour Party in the FCT has decided to adopt the Senatorial hopeful and vote for APGA while also voting for Peter Obi at the presidential election level.
Responding, the Senatorial Candidate, Dr Ezekwugo appreciated the Action Alliance members for deciding to adopt and vote for him in the 2023 election.
He promised to deliver all-inclusive governance in the FCT and to ensure that every part of the territory feels the impact of the government when he becomes the senator.