Controversy trails inauguration of presidential campaign committee by Pat Utomi, LP fumes

By Our Correspondent 

The Labour Party Organising Secretary, Chief Clement Ojukwu says the purported Inauguration of one Dr Fabian Ihekweme into the Imo Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council by Professor Pat Utomi at the Banquet hall, Immaculate Royal Hotel, PH Road, in  Owerri was another illegality which the party will not allow to stand.

According to a statement signed by the Party's National Organizing Secretary and copy of which was sighted by Our Correspondent in Abeokuta, LP said it has not made such appointment or inaugurated any presidential campaign council both at the national or otherwise.

He explained that all appointments are the exclusive function of Labour party National Working committee as led by National Chairman Mr. Julius Abure, with announcement made by the National Publicity Secretary as directed by the National Chairman

Chief Ojukwu quoted article 14 sub section 1(a) of the Labour Party Constitution stating that ” The National Chairman shall give leadership to the Party and shall preside over all meetings of the National Executive Council and the National Working Committee of the Party.

He also relied on article 14 sub -section 9(d), the same constitution explaining the duties of the National Organizing Secretary to include organizing campaigns and related issues thereof.

He stated that the quoted constitutional provision vested the power of all appointments and leadership only to the person and the office of the National Chairman through the National Working committee or National Executive Council (NEC)

He stated that Labour Party uses the Owerri infraction as the final note of warning to Professor Pat Utomi or any group of persons and all support groups that the Labour Party is guided by the Constitution in its activities.

The Organizing Secretary urged members of the Party as well as interested members of the Public presently in LP to desist from all sort of hasty dealings advising them to take serious caution.

Chief Ojukwu called on followers of the party to always obey the Constitution of the Labour Party and be guided by the party directives with respect to the 2023 general elections.