The Imo State chapter of the Labour Party is embroiled in a deepening crisis, with the State Working Committee (SWC) disowning the suspension of party members by the embattled State Chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa.
The SWC has accused Ihejiagwa of anti-party activities, financial mismanagement, and abuse of power. According to the party’s Legal Adviser, Barr. Ihejirika Eze Emeka, Ihejiagwa’s actions are a desperate attempt to silence opposition within the party. The SWC has leveled several allegations against Ihejiagwa, including running the party like a personal empire, refusing to account for party funds, and engaging in financial mismanagement.
Ihejiagwa has been accused of making unilateral decisions without consultation, sidelining key officials, and restructuring the party’s leadership at both state and local levels without due process. The SWC has also accused him of being a lackey of the APC and illegally usurping SWC functions.
The crisis within the party has been ongoing for some time, with 13 members of the SWC passing a Vote of No Confidence on Ihejiagwa last week. The stakeholders from Owerri Zone have condemned Ihejiagwa’s actions, describing them as an abuse of power and a threat to the integrity of the party.
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At a zonal meeting, the stakeholders expressed outrage over Ihejiagwa’s leadership style and called for a thorough review of his actions and financial dealings. They mandated all those unconstitutionally removed by the chairman to resume their rightful positions, emphasizing that Ihejiagwa’s unilateral actions have no constitutional backing.
Ihejiagwa has refuted the claims, stating that there is no crisis in the Imo Labour Party and that all the allegations against him are a figment of the imagination. He claimed that some members were suspended due to misconduct and actions detrimental to the party structure in Imo State.
However, the SWC has maintained that Ihejiagwa’s actions are a desperate attempt to cling to power and undermine the party’s structure. The crisis within the party is expected to continue, with pressure mounting on Ihejiagwa to answer to the allegations against him.
