The Labour Party Requests that Governor Otti Refrain From Interfering With its Right to Hold The LG Party Primaries in Abia State.

The Labour Party firmly asserts that Local Councils should serve as a driving force for grassroots development, growth, and transformation. However, due to the rampant misappropriation of funds and diversion of resources by state governments, these local councils have become ineffective. Consequently, the Labour Party unequivocally condemns and expresses profound concern regarding the upcoming local government elections in Abia State, particularly in relation to the conduct of the Government of Abia State under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti. The Party calls for these elections to be conducted in a fair, transparent, and democratic manner, free from interference or manipulation by those in positions of power. This statement was issued on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Obiorah Ifoh, who also demands that the Party's Primary be conducted without any interference. The statement articulates: “For many years, the Labour Party has been a staunch advocate for democracy and good governance, particularly in our push for functional and autonomous local government councils in Nigeria. We firmly believe that one of the major obstacles to Nigeria’s sustainable development is the inefficiency and underutilization of local government councils. These councils, which are constitutionally mandated to bring governance closer to the grassroots, have been systematically marginalized, preventing them from fulfilling their essential role in driving local development. “It is well-known that the stagnation and lack of infrastructural progress in many regions of the country are directly linked to the ongoing subjugation of local councils by state governments. In the current democratic framework, local governments have been relegated to the control of various state administrations. This has often suppressed their independence, transforming them into mere extensions of state governments, stripped of any substantial power or autonomy.” The Labour Party is resolutely of the opinion that local councils should serve as drivers of grassroots development, growth, and transformation. Unfortunately, these councils have been systematically stripped of their essential functions due to the misallocation of funds and the diversion of resources by state governments, which persist in consolidating power at the expense of local governance. The misappropriation of local government funds and the undemocratic tactics employed by certain state governments have significantly undermined the effectiveness of local councils. Resources intended for grassroots communities are frequently diverted, often with minimal accountability. In light of this, the Labour Party strongly denounces and expresses profound concern regarding the management of the forthcoming local government elections in Abia State under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti. It is imperative that we remain vigilant to ensure that the electoral process is executed in a fair, transparent, and democratic manner, devoid of interference or manipulation by those in authority. The local government elections present a vital opportunity to restore public trust in governance and facilitate genuine representation of the people's interests. We must assert with clarity that the Labour Party demands the autonomy to conduct its primaries without external interference. It is crucial that the party's grassroots members in Abia State are permitted to select their candidates through a transparent and democratic process. Only in this manner can we ensure that capable and qualified party members emerge as candidates, truly reflecting the will of the people. In recent months, the Labour Party has consistently championed the causes of justice, equity, and the safeguarding of democratic values. We have emphasized the necessity of maintaining democratic standards not only at the national level but also within local government structures. It is imperative that individuals chosen to run for office, whether through appointments or elections, embody the party’s principles of integrity, accountability, and dedication to public service. While we recognize the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, we cannot, in good conscience, ignore the risks of power abuse that have marred local government elections in numerous states throughout Nigeria. It is concerning to witness state governments manipulating local elections to favor the ruling party, thereby undermining the democratic will of the populace. We earnestly hope that Governor Otti, who ascended to prominence through a mandate grounded in public trust, will not emulate those who have exploited their positions to distort electoral results. We remain hopeful that Governor Otti will oversee the upcoming local government elections in Abia State with utmost transparency and integrity. The electoral process must be characterized by openness, competitiveness, and, fundamentally, democracy. Furthermore, as a leader who gained power through the collective endorsement of the people, we anticipate that Governor Otti will uphold the very principles that facilitated his rise to office. He must resist any inclination to compromise the electoral process and instead utilize this election as a benchmark for others to follow. The Labour Party anticipates that the local government elections in Abia State will serve not only as a measure of Governor Otti’s dedication to democratic values but also as a chance to establish a new benchmark for local governance throughout Nigeria. The citizens of Nigeria are eager for trustworthy elections, and it is crucial that these elections occur without the undue influence of political elites. The future of our local councils, and indeed the future of our democracy, hinges on this. Moreover, it is essential to highlight that the Labour Party holds a strong belief in the democratic process, particularly at the grassroots level. We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering democracy in Nigeria and urge all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the upcoming elections. The forthcoming elections in Abia State present an opportunity for His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, to affirm his dedication to the principles of democracy, accountability, and effective governance. In summary, the Labour Party calls upon Governor Otti to adhere to the principles of democracy, transparency, and fairness in the execution of the scheduled local government elections. We expect these elections to genuinely reflect the will of the people, and we have confidence that Governor Otti will set a precedent for other state governors by ensuring a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Abia State. The Labour Party is prepared to collaborate with all stakeholders in promoting democracy and protecting the interests of the populace. We respectfully encourage His Excellency, Governor Otti, to exemplify leadership and position Abia State as a model of democratic principles within Nigeria.