Labour Party, Imo State chapter, seems to have been split into two following an attempt by some state exco members to remove the state chairman of the party, Callistus Ihejiagwa, over alleged anti-party activities and other allegations leveled against him.

In a press statement signed by some members of the state working committee, it was alleged that the party chairman is running the affairs of the party as his private business, as he no longer consults with the exco members on issues concerning the party.

According to the press statement, which was read out before journalists by the spokesperson of the party, Bright Offurum, it was alleged that the party chairman has been associating with the APC-led government in the state after the defections of its two federal lawmakers to the ruling party.

Offurum further alleged that efforts made to condemn the defections of the two lawmakers by issuing an official statement against the act were rebuffed by the state chairman, whom they accused of romancing with the lawmakers even after their defections.

The party spokesperson hinted that Ihejiagwa is currently in Israel on an APC-sponsored pilgrimage.

He also said that, as a leader of one of the opposition parties in the state, the chairman has never raised a voice to condemn some administrative policies of the ruling party.

“

We have lost the moral burden of promoting the needed opposition to the APC-led government.
The Imo State Labour Party chairman needs to be changed, and an acting chairman appointed pending the commencement of congress,” the statement read.

The party’s publicity secretary further accused the chairman of administrative high-handedness, saying that he was in the habit of taking unilateral decisions without involving party leaders and stakeholders.

He added that Ihejiagwa single-handedly changed party leaders in the various LGAs and wards and replaced them with people not known by the party.

“There is great tension in the party now, and it must be handled immediately by urging the state chairman to step down to avoid the disintegration of the party.
The elected federal and state lawmakers are not happy with him, including the major stakeholders and party faithful,” the release further read.

Responding to the attempt to remove the state chairman, Chima Igbo Onyeisiala, the publicity secretary of the other group, described the act as an ill-conceived attempt coming from former members of the party sacked by the current party leadership under Ihejiagwa.

He pointed out that those behind the move were driven by selfish interests and monetary inducements.

“We are fully aware that these individuals were sponsored by a few leaders in the party who previously sponsored and participated in the failed attempt to remove our national chairman, Julius Abure, the NWC, and the NEC.
By the special grace of God, they have failed again,” he stated.

Onyeisiala explained that the process of removing a state chairman is clearly outlined in the party’s constitution and that anything outside it is null and void.

He used the medium to enjoin party faithful and the public to disregard what he described as a shameful display of desperation, maintaining that the party is one in the state and remains firm under the leadership of Ihejiagwa.

President Bola Tinubu, addressing political leaders from the South-South on Tuesday in Abuja, emphasised the critical need for adherence to the rule of law in Rivers State to ensure lasting peace and prosperity.

During a meeting with representatives and leaders of the Niger Delta under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), President Tinubu reiterated that respect for the judiciary is crucial in upholding democracy and fostering harmony.

The President advised the leaders to be more broadminded, selfless and focused on the larger vision of salvaging the region, politically and economically, by insisting that the judiciary’s interpretations of the Constitution be respected.

“I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes.

“I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals.

“Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet members here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset and a recalibration of the economic fortune.

“Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg. I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.

“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.”

The President said stakeholders must make sacrifices for the state to move forward by recognising the Constitution.

“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as President without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary. We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it.

“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” he added.

Ekwutosblog reports that President Tinubu told the delegation that his priority remains community development, particularly projects and programmes that positively impact citizens.

“Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected,” President Tinubu said.

The President commended the leadership of the Niger Delta.

“I have seen what you have tolerated in the region. Community development is very close to my heart. The leader of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more.

“He is your son. We are all proud of him. Yes, there are lots of misadventurers around Nigeria on democracy. We will continue to work on preserving the integrity and character of our legislators.

“I sincerely thank you for bringing up those issues. And for doing what you are doing for the country. Nigeria is too big for anyone. And greater than anyone. It is so great. That greatness must come from us through our determination, perseverance and endurance to do all we can to improve it.”

President Tinubu thanked the delegation for acknowledging the efforts to stimulate the economy for more sustainable and predictable growth.

“We cannot achieve Eldorado in one day. But we are on the path to it. We will succeed by the grace of God Almighty. We are resetting the economy, and it looks far better. We have funds for our children in college. Our medical colleges are also getting equipped,” he said.

The President noted that the ongoing coastal road project will create new economic benefits for the Niger Delta and the country.

“We are already working with international companies to build ports in the Niger Delta States,” he stated.

King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom and Co-Chairman of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, thanked the President for his commitment to South-South well-being and appointments given to Niger Delta indigenes.

“Your government has taken the bull by the horns, and we are sure you will succeed. We are here to give you our assurance and support. I can say now that God bless Nigeria and your government,” he said.

Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, called for further intervention in the Rivers State crises.

Attah, who also chairs the reconciliation committee set up by PANDEF in Rivers State, said the political crises in Rivers State threaten national stability and deserve more attention.

“Instability there has far-reaching consequences on the peace and stability of the nation,” he added.

He praised the President’s reforms, including power devolution and regional development recognition, and urged focus on infrastructure, seaports, environmental sustainability, and fiscal federalism in the South-South.

The PANDEF delegation included former governors, legislators, ministers, traditional leaders, religious figures, and youth and women groups.

The political face-off in Osun State escalated on Tuesday as the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, continued their heated dispute over the legitimacy of local government chairmen and councillors.

This battle is intensifying as both political parties have reportedly drawn the attention of the Federal Government.

The latest controversy follows a letter from the Osun State Government introducing newly elected chairmen and councillors to the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, and the Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso.

This move has sparked outrage within the state APC chapter, which labelled the introduced officials as impostors and called on the Federal Government to reject their recognition.

In a statement, the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said: “We want to put it on record that the PDP chieftains introduced by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kazeem Igbalaye, are impersonators.

“There was no election that produced these individuals, and the Court of Appeal’s ruling on 10th February 2025 reinstated the local government executives elected in October 2022.”

APC insisted that the state government’s decision disregards the professional advice of the AGF, who had earlier advised Governor Ademola Adeleke not to conduct fresh elections, as the reinstated 2022 chairmen and councillors were yet to complete their tenure.

Despite this, the Osun PDP maintained that the appointments were valid and accused the APC of distorting facts.

Sunday Bisi, the Osun PDP chairman, stated: “The Osun APC is hallucinating. The Federal Government is already reviewing its stance on the Osun local government face-off. Certified court judgements have been submitted, and no ruling reinstated the so-called Yes/No chairmen the APC claims are legitimate.”

PDP argued that the Court of Appeal ruling provided no consequential orders for the reinstatement of the 2022 chairmen and councillors and accused APC of misinformation.

“The Federal Ministry of Justice is in possession of all relevant judgements and is currently reviewing the situation,” Bisi added.

Security concerns have also surfaced as both political parties trade accusations and counter-accusations.

APC pointed out that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, had advised against holding the local government elections due to an unfavourable security situation—advice they claimed Governor Ademola Adeleke ignored.

“The IGP’s counsel was equally disregarded,” Olabisi said. “Now we see the consequences of this desperation for power. We urge the Federal Government to ignore this illegitimate introduction of impostors and uphold the rule of law.”

PDP, however, countered with allegations of violence from the Osun APC camp.

“Despite losing six of our members to political attacks, we opted for a peaceful resolution by reaching out to the AGF and other federal officials,” Bisi claimed.

Tensions heightened following the unresolved murder of Remi Abass, former chairman of Irewole Local Government and an APC leader.

“Rather than focusing on introducing illegitimate officials, Governor Adeleke should help law enforcement agencies bring the murderers within his party to justice,” Olabisi insisted.

Meanwhile, the legal battle remains a core issue in the crisis, as APC accused the state government of seeking a pliable judge in the state High Court to overturn the Akure Court of Appeal ruling.

The Osun APC described this action as a blatant disregard for judicial hierarchy.

“It is unheard of that a judgement debtor would approach a lower court to overturn the decision of a superior court. This is nothing but an attempt to purchase justice at all costs,” Olabisi maintained.

PDP, however, remains confident that the Federal Government will decide in its favour.

“We have dismantled the house of lies the APC built. The certified true copies of judgements are now with the Federal Ministry of Justice, and we believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will ensure the right decision is made,” Bisi declared.