Labour Party Holds State Congress in Abia, Elects Peter Azubuike As State Chairman
Labour Party Holds State Congress in Abia, Elects Peter Azubuike As State Chairman
The Labour Party in Abia State on Saturday held its State Congress, culminating in the election of key officials to oversee the affairs of the party, with Mr Peter Azubuike from Obingwa Local Government Area emerging as State Chairman.
Mrs Ibe Nkeiruka Eucharia of Aba North was elected Deputy Chairman (Female), while Mr Emmanuel Alozie (Bende) and Mr Okoye Iloabuchi emerged as Deputy Chairmen representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), respectively.
Other Deputy Chairmen elected at the congress include Rev. Andrew Ohiagba (Isiala Ngwa North), Dr Kingsley Nwaobilor (Ugwunagbo) and Barr. Prince C. Okechukwu (Bende).
The State Congress, which attracted party delegates, stakeholders and observers including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is a milestone in strengthening the Labour Party’s organisational structure in Abia State already of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party faithfuls during the exercise at the Labour Party Secretariat in Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti commended the peaceful and transparent conduct of the congress, congratulating the newly elected officials for a smooth and orderly process.
Governor Otti described the outcome of the Congress as the dawn of a new era for the party, stressing the need for unity and cohesion, and pointed out that the days of internal divisions were over.
The Governor assured the new leadership of the party of continued support, stressing that his administration would work closely with them to ensure a seamless take-off.
“This is the beginning of a new era. Gone are the days when somebody will be pulling from one direction and another will be pulling from another direction. We will all pull together.
“One thing you can take for granted is that, like we have always done, we will support our party. We will support the new leadership of the party.
“If there is anything that you need, please feel free to let us know. We want a smooth take-off of the new administration”, he said.
Governor Otti also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing leadership led by Sir Emmanuel Nweze-Oti and commended him for steering the party through it’s challenging period.
The Governor disclosed that delegates would reconvene in Umuahia for the party’s national convention scheduled to hold on the 28th of this month.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Mr Acho Obioma, traced the process leading to the State Congress, noting that activities began at the ward and local government levels before culminating in the state congress.
He explained that the consensus arrangement adopted by the party promoted inclusiveness across the state, with most positions zoned to ensure representation and expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the State Congress, Dr Chibuzo Okereke, highlighted the constitutional and legal framework guiding the exercise, noting that the congress is a critical democratic process anchored on provisions of the Constitution, Electoral Act and party guidelines.
He said that the exercise forms part of a sequence of congresses leading to the national convention, assuring that the process complied fully with regulatory requirements and was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We have started that process since 23rd of April for the Ward Congress and 24th for the Local Government Congress, and today 25th for the State Congress, and by 28th we will have the National Convention”, Dr Okereke said.
In an interview with Journalists, the newly elected State Chairman of the party, Mr Peter Azubuike, who expressed optimism about the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections, described the consensus mode of congresses as being recognized in the electoral law and widely accepted.
Azubuike who dismissed opposition threats, pledged to strengthen the party’s structure through aggressive membership mobilisation across the state and expressed confidence that the party would retain power in the state.
“As for what we’re bringing new to the party, we’re going to bring in more energy. We’re going to bring in vigour. We’re going to do very serious membership drives to ensure that if there are aspects of Abia that are not yet captured by the Labour Party, we’ll make sure we go down to every nook and cranny.
“As for the Government House, come 2027, Labour Party is already seated there. That’s what assurance we can give you”, he said.
Responding to questions on opposition from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Azubuike downplayed its influence in the state, saying; “the only place APC exists outside Abia is at the national level, is in Abuja. In Abia, I can assure you that if we even want to count oppositions, APC is not even the first. They’re not even the second”, the Labour party state chairman said.
On internal party disputes at the national level, the chairman maintained that the Labour Party had moved past its challenges adding that the party is poised for victory come 2027.
“I can tell you that we used to have crises in the Labour Party, but as of today, we no longer have crises. The party has been fully recovered… as of today, there is no issue in the Labour Party,” he added.
Other party officials elected at the congress include Mr Chuks Akanmadu (Umuahia North), who emerged as State Secretary, alongside Mrs Nkiruka Olivia Ukaonu (Aba North) and Mr O’Brien Iroh (Ohafia) as Assistant Secretaries.
Mrs Joy Ngozi Anyanwu (Umuahia South) was elected State Treasurer, while Hon. Elvis Nwagbara (Ukwa East) secured the position of State Financial Secretary.
Mr Emenike Iroegbu (Isuikwuato) emerged as State Publicity Secretary, with Mr Ben Ikechukwu Oti (Arochukwu) elected as State Organising Secretary. Barr. Ndubuisi Nwosu (Osisioma) was returned as State Legal Adviser, while Chief Ngozi Ananaba (Ugwunagbo) emerged as State Auditor.
Mrs Elizabeth Udo Kalu (Arochukwu) was elected State Women Leader. She will be assisted by Deputy Women Leaders; Mrs Akachi Jacob (Ikwuano), Hon. Mrs Lilian Obi (Aba South) and Miss Stephanie Nneoma Alilionwu (Bende).
Mr Uche Nwagbo (Isiala Ngwa South) emerged as Youth Leader, with Edith Pamela Adiele (Ukwa West), Mr Ajaero Best Uchenna (Umunneochi) and Mr Ezebuio Eze Chijioke (Isiala Ngwa North) elected as Assistant Youth Leaders.