Abure-led faction accuses Alex Otti of using police to victimise LP members

The faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure has accused Alex Otti, governor of Abia, of exploiting police power to harass and intimidate members of the party.

In a statement on Saturday, Ayo Olorunfemi, LP deputy national chair, alleged that police arrested Ceekay Igara, national vice chairman (south-east), on Otti’s order.

Olorunfemi said Igara was apprehended in Aba during a meeting with party leaders without a valid arrest warrant.

“Labour Party leadership is totally in shock over this development, particularly as it is coming on the orders of the party’s only state governor,” he said.

“The party is worried that Dr Alex Otti, who it laboured for in the 2023 governorship election and defended his victory, has suddenly turned to be a tiger ready to tear apart the party.

‘Labour Party is still at a loss over what may have caused the same governor who, a few months ago, stood by the party during our convention but suddenly turned to launch the worst offensive on the leadership.

“He hosted the extended stakeholders’ meeting in Abia and thereafter formed a caretaker committee, hoping to wrestle power from our leadership.

“The Labor party is worried that Dr Alex Otti, who will laboured for during the 2023 governorship election, as suddenly turned to say about the party — transforming from a key Ali to a destructive force, launching the worst offensive on its leadership.

“He hosted the extended stakeholders’ meeting in Abia and thereafter formed a caretaker committee, hoping to wrestle power from our leadership.”

The deputy chair said after the court validated Abure as LP national chair, the party had extended an “olive branch” to the Abia governor

“We’re sincerely at a loss why Alex Otti, once sheltered by the Labour Party, now works hard to destabilise and destroy it using brute, anachronistic political intimidation,”Olorunfemi said.

“Power revealed Alex Otti’s true nature, exposing a tyrannical leader masquerading behind a humane posture, contradicting our initial impression of his character.”

The deputy chair demanded the immediate release of Igara, while noting that the “party chieftain should be charged to court within the next 24 hours and specified by law.”

Verifying the controversy, Maureen Chinaka, Abia police spokesperson, told TheCable that Igara was invited following a petition received by the command over alleged impersonation.

“The Abia State Police Command received a written petition from the Labour Party’s Acting State Chairman against Mr. Ceekey Igara,” Chinaka said.

“Igara and three others for alleged impersonation, obtaining by false pretense, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

“Yesterday, 19/10/2024, detectives from the command invited Mr. Igara, to the command headquarters, took his statement, and released him the same day.”

The police spokesperson added that investigation is ongoing into the matter.