Lingering disagreements over the authentic leadership of Labour Party, LP, in Cross River State got to a climax when two factions clashed over which should be recognized by the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC.
Chairman of CROSIEC, Dr Ekong Boco had summoned a stakeholders’ meeting to announce processes that would lead to local government Council elections in the state on 25 October, 2024.
Former chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the state, Comrade John Ushie who last week was presented by his own faction as chairman of the caretaker committee for three months, announced his presence at the meeting.
He insisted that CROSIEC should deal with him as his exco had already readied themselves for the conduct of the polls.
On the other hand, Ogar Osim advised CROSIEC not to recognise John Ushie led exco, saying they are fake and impostors.
“I am the legally elected chairman of LP in the state. My tenure by the constitution of our party shall elapse in 2026.
“These people are fake. They are impostors. Our constitution does not know them,” he said.
He warned that CROSIEC should be wary of impersonators if they do not want chaos in the processes leading to the Council elections in the 18 LGAs of the state.
A showdown almost erupted when CROSIEC decided to hand over the timetable of the election to party chairmen.
But to avert further altercations, one of the factions said it should be given to the IPAC Chairman.
LP came up second during last year’s governorship election in Cross River State.