The Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, described as mere propaganda information that the party has entered into a pact with the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the state with a view to surrendering its structure ahead of the March 11 elections.
The Akwa Ibom Director-General of the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaigns Council, Capt. Augustine Okon, while briefing newsmen in Uyo, the state capital said the misinformation is being orchestrated by “disgruntled elements” who do not wish the party well.
The retired ADC Airline Chairman denounced the unholy alliance, pointing out that their crave for LP was borne out of the fact that LP has come to stay in Nigeria.
While calling on party supporters to work assiduously towards winning the governorship and state Assembly polls, the Obi/Datti PCC DG, stated that LP won the presidential polls with a clear margin.
Okon vowed that the mandate would be restored as Obi, the national leadership of the party and other stakeholders were assiduously working through the Court of law.
“No part of PCC or LP has collapsed their structures for any political party. Even though we had been robbed and raped at the presidential election, the PCC and LP are intact.
‘‘Despite what has happened to our Principal, Peter Obi, he has instructed us to remain calm, firm and resolute in pursuing recovery of the mandate, and we stand with him.
“So, I enjoin all our teeming supporters to disregard any rumour or misinformation that the LP has disintegrated or sold out. We are intact in the state because we have a governorship candidate in Uduakobong Peter Udo, a computer scientist, who is coming to create jobs, grow the economy and develop infrastructure to change the outlook of the state to become centre of excellence in tourism, business and investment,” he said.
The governorship candidate, Uduakobong Peter Udoh, described the allegation as being borne of fear over the LP sterling performance at the polls.
Udoh noted that the party has shocked the whole nation, given the fact that it was initially dismissed as a party without structure.
‘‘During the just-concluded election, we won convincingly in the three senatorial districts in the state. We will get back our mandate.
‘‘I can identify the Obi/Datti Support Group as the cause of the false information. They go about defrauding people. It is a mere distraction and In can assure you that we shall overcome them all,’’ he noted.
On him being a place holder in the party, he refuted the story as false.
According to him, ‘‘I am not a place holder. I am a governorship candidate. I had formally resigned as APC member from my ward in Itu Local Government Area. I have a Deputy Governorship candidate who comes from Eket Senatorial District.’’
The Vice Chairman of the party, Pastor Iniobong Nyong noted that nobody could sell the party. ‘‘No group could sell our party to another. We are a force to be reckoned with in the country and in the state. By God’s grace, we will form the next government in this state. We hereby enjoin Akwa Ibom people to vote massively for us on March 11 election.’’
Already, Labour Party has filed 23 candidates in the state for Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for the Saturday’s election.
