Abia Labour Party on the Brink: Two Federal Lawmakers Plot Defection to APC Amid Growing Crisis | #NwokeukwuMascot

 Politics 

Abia Labour Party Faces Potential Implosion as Two Federal Lawmakers Plot Defection to APC | #NwokeukwuMascot

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Abia State’s Labour Party is on the brink of a significant internal crisis, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that two prominent federal lawmakers are planning to leave the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This development comes amid growing divisions within the party, exacerbated by the fallout from the nomination process for the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November 2, 2024.

Recall we had earlier reported possible mass defections across Abia State LP as Otti’s anointed candidates continue to join ZLP following the continued crisis within the Labour Party.

The internal tensions within the Labour Party, which is currently the ruling party in Abia State, have deepened following the Appeal Court’s recent judgment that recognized Julius Abure as the authentic National Chairman of the party. In response to this ruling, Governor Alex Otti’s administration has reportedly moved its preferred local government chairmanship candidates to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), a move that has caused further rifts among party members.

The decision to switch candidates to the ZLP has been met with strong opposition from several quarters within the Labour Party. As reported earlier, loyal members of the party, including prominent figures such as Ceekay Igara and Prince G. O. Ndubueze, have vowed to resist any attempt by Governor Otti to impose candidates through the ZLP, insisting that they will remain faithful to the Labour Party’s original cause. These members have criticized the governor’s actions as divisive and detrimental to the unity of the party.

However, it appears that not all members share this resolve. Sources indicate that two federal lawmakers, who have not yet been named, are disillusioned by the ongoing internal crisis and are plotting to defect to the APC. These lawmakers are reportedly dissatisfied with the manner in which the local government primary elections were handled, citing Governor Otti’s alleged sidelining of key party figures in favor of his ZLP-backed candidates.

The potential defection of these lawmakers could deal a significant blow to the Labour Party in Abia State, which is already grappling with a widening divide between those loyal to Governor Otti and those aligned with the Abure-led faction of the party. If the defections occur, it could signal the beginning of a broader exodus from the party, as other members may follow suit in search of more stable political ground.

Speculation about these impending defections has also been fueled by statements made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, who has openly expressed confidence that the APC will form the next government in Abia State come 2027. Kalu, a member of the APC, has even called on Governor Otti to return to his former party, suggesting that the political landscape in Abia could shift dramatically in the coming years.

Despite denials from some quarters, rumors have continued to circulate that several outgoing Abia politicians, including some influential local government figures, are considering leaving the Labour Party due to their dissatisfaction with the governor’s handling of party affairs. These individuals are said to be particularly aggrieved by what they perceive as a lack of recognition and reward for their contributions during and after the local government primary elections.

As the Labour Party faces increasing internal turmoil, the potential for a major political realignment in Abia State looms large. With the November 2 local government elections fast approaching, the stakes are high for both the Labour Party and its rivals, as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the state’s political future.

For now, the eyes of the political class are fixed on the Labour Party’s next moves. Whether the party can resolve its internal differences and maintain its dominance in Abia, or whether the impending defections will trigger a wider collapse, remains to be seen.