LP Abia state Congress: New leadership team takes charge as Azubuike, Iroegbu, others emerge

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

As a precursor to the national convention coming up in a few days time, the Labour party in Abia State under the Nenadi Usman led executive has unveiled a new state working committee.

The Congress which took place at the party’s state secretariat in Umuahia attracted party chieftains, national assembly members, national secretary of the party and members of the state executive council.

Before officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the organising committee, names of the new executive were announced with positions and thereafter the delegates affirmed through a voice vote acclaimed their positions.

The chairman of the state organising committee, Hon. Achọ Obiọma in his opening remarks, disclosed that the party had adopted a grassroots method which allows members to choose their preferred officers themselves and present a common front.

Governor Alex Otti congratulated the new SWC and urged members to work in unison. He said that it was the time to pursue a common goal from the same approach.

The governor commended the outgoing chairman, Emma Otti who he said “stood in the gap” when the party was in turmoil in the state. He equally encouraged him not to abandon the party now as more assignments could be given to him in future to execute.

The new chairman , Mr. Peter Azubuike thanked the party faithful for reposing such trust in them and assured of delivering positive results in 2027.

During an interview with journalists, the chairman who spoke tough said he would leverage the success of the party in governance to secure more wins in 2027.

“The truth is that we’re already starting on a good note. We have a good governor and the state is already on its high-rising. As for the party, what we will do is to support the government to ensure that we retain the seat come 2027 and I can assure you it’s not under probability whether we will or not.

“As for the government house come 2027, Labour party is already seated there, that’s one assurance we can give you, he said.

The chairman continued, “As to what we’re bringing new to the party, we’re going to bring in more energy, bring in vigour, we’re going to do serious membership drive to ensure that if there are aspects of Abia that are not yet captured by the labour party, we ensure we go into every nook and cranny of the state to make sure we capture it, he said.

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He further dismissed the All progressives Congress as a viable opposition party, saying they’re only pretending in the state to negotiate for a benefit from president Bola Tinubu.

“The only place APC exists outside Abia is Abuja. In Abia, I can assure you that if we even want to count opposition’s, APC is not even the first, they’re not even the second. For those who can actually attest to the realities on ground, they will let you know clearly that some of those who portray themselves as opposition maybe under the guise of APC, they’re doing that probably to see what they can get from Mr. President.

“I can assure you that this is no longer time for merchandising politics. Abians know fully well that Abia is Labour party,” he said.

On the lingering leadership tussle at the national level, Mr. Azubuike said the party was not in trouble anymore in the party as their issued had been resolved.

“I can tell you we used to have crisis in Labour party , but as at today, we’re no longer having crisis, the party has been fully recovered,” he concluded.

The national convention of the party is scheduled for the 28th of April, 2026 at the International Conference Centre, in Umuahia, Abịa State.