The crisis rocking the Imo State Chapter of the Labour Party appears to have deepened, as some State Working Committee, SWC, members of the party have rejected the suspension of certain executive committee members by the embattled state chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, who has been accused of anti-party activities, abuse of power, and financial impropriety.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri, the legal adviser of the party, Barrister Emeka Eze Ihejirika, said that the chairman lacks the authority to suspend any member of the party, as he has yet to clear himself of various allegations levelled against him.
Ihejirika, who is also affected by the suspension, pointed out that instead of addressing the series of allegations levelled against him, the chairman hastily convened a meeting of some members whom he described as his loyalists, to orchestrate a distraction from the core issues at hand.
“Recall that 14 members of the SWC had, last week, passed a vote of no confidence in Ihejiagwa, citing high-handed leadership, financial mismanagement, unconstitutional actions, and betrayal of the party.
“Some of the allegations against him include: running the party like a personal fiefdom by sidelining key officials and making unilateral decisions without consultation; refusing to account for party funds and engaging in financial mismanagement. He was also accused of being a lackey of the APC, as well as illegally usurping SWC functions, restructuring the party’s leadership at both state and local levels without due process, among other allegations,” Ihejirika said.
The party’s legal adviser regretted that, rather than responding to the allegations, Ihejiagwa resorted to suspending members of SWC, an action he described as a desperate attempt to silence opposition within the party.
He hinted that stakeholders from the Owerri Zone have condemned Ihejiagwa’s actions, describing them as an abuse of power and a threat to the integrity of the party.
“At a zonal meeting, attended by notable leaders including Honourable Attorney Mathew Nwogu, the Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the House of Commons, and Honourable Clinton Amadi, the Member representing Owerri Municipal in the Imo State House of Assembly, expressed shock over Ihejiagwa’s leadership style.
“The zone called for a thorough review of Ihejiagwa’s actions and financial dealings, stating that his leadership had become detrimental to the party’s growth in the state. They further mandated all those unconstitutionally removed by the chairman to resume their rightful positions, emphasising that his actions have no constitutional basis,” Ihejirika further said.
The legal adviser asserted that the attempt by the chairman to suspend party executive committee members without answering to allegations against him is an attempt to undermine the party’s established procedures.
DAILY POST recalls that the party chairman had earlier suspended 14 members of the State Working Committee and others during their State Executive meeting held recently in Owerri.
He accused the suspended members of engaging in gross indiscipline, an action he said was capable of bringing the party into public disrepute.